Bobby Davro

Infobox actor


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name = Bobby Davro
birthname = Robert Christopher Nankville
birthdate = Birth date and age|1959|09|13|mf=y
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occupation = Comedian, impressionist & actor
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children = Brittany (12), Tierney (11) and Marnie (7)
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Bobby Davro is a British actor and comedian. He is mainly known for his work as an impressionist. He made his TV debut in 1981, but it wasn't until 1983 though, that he made his television breakthrough at Live from Her Majesty's. He became very popular as a result of his appearances on the television show, "Who Do You Do?".

He appeared on a variety of television shows, mostly with ITV, throughout the 80s and 90s. Davro's popularity was at its highest during the mid 80s with his own Saturday night ITV shows; "Bobby Davro on the Box" and "Bobby Davro's TV Annual ". He also made appearances on the popular comedy impressions sketch show "Copy Cats." Davro went on to make two more shows with ITV; "Davro's Sketch Pad" and "Davro" in 1990, but by this time, the comedian's brand of humour was proving to be less popular with audiences as ratings for his shows declined.

The 90s saw Davro switching sides to the BBC, appearing on TV shows such as "Public Enemy Number One" and the successful talent show "The Heat Is On". Davro made another attempt at the comedy sketch show format which proved successful for him in the 80s, on the short lived show "Rock with Laughter." He also made appearances on "Run the Risk", which featured on Saturday mornings kids' show Live & Kicking. Davro returned to UK TV screens in May 1997, as host of Yorkshire Television's "Winner Takes All" for 65 episodes which was produced for Challenge TV.

Davro's father, Bill Nankeville, was a British national mile and 1500m champion, world record holder and represented Great Britain in two Olympic Games. In 2003, Davro was one of the contestants in the Channel 4 reality TV show "The Games", in which 10 celebrities competed against each other, by doing Olympic style events.

Davro's separation and divorce from his wife Nick Darby, over Christmas 2003 resulted in adverse headlines as police were called to his house in Surrey. He has 3 daughters, Brittany, Tierney and Marnie.

In 2005, he appeared in Birmingham, as an act for "Jasper Carrott's Rock With Laughter". He appeared alongside performers such as, Bill Bailey, Jasper Carrott, Lenny Henry, Bonnie Tyler Tammy Palmer and the "Lord of the Dance" troupe. In 2006, Davro made a special guest appearance as a judge on Channel 5's "All Star Talent Show". In 2005-2006, he performed on stage in "Aladdin" with Melinda Messenger and John Rhys Davies in Woking, Surrey.

Bobby starred with Henry Winkler in "Peter Pan" at Wimbledon Theatre at Christmas 2006, and with Ross Kemp at the same theatre in the 2007/8 season.

He appeared in a Comic Relief television advertisement in 2007 in the UK which was later followed by an appearance in the video for Peter Kay and Matt Lucas's charity single "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" for the same charity. Kay, appearing as Brian Potter is heard to sing Davro's name several times during one of the instrumental choruses.

In August 2007, Davro joined the cast of soap opera "EastEnders", playing Vinnie Monks, a love interest for Shirley Carter. The character first appeared on screen in October. [cite news|title=Davro to appear in Albert Square|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6936465.stm|publisher=BBC.co.uk|date=8 August 2007|accessdate=2007-08-08] He will leave in Autumn 2008.

He was a guest on the Episode 4 Series 21 edition of "Never Mind the Buzzcocks".

He appeared on The Weakest Link in June 2008 as part of a EastEnders special, but was voted off third.

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0205823/ The IMDb entry on Davro]
* [http://www.richardherring.com/warmingup/warmingup.php?id=1381 Richard Herring meets Bobby Davro]