Edward Michael Robbins (born 11 August 1955) is an English comic, actor, television presenter and radio broadcaster.[1]
He has performed as a warm-up artist for numerous pre-recorded comedy shows that have been filmed before live studio audiences including Granada Television's Wood and Walters and Birds of a Feather, provided the voiceover in series 10 of Catchphrase from 1994 to 1995 and returned in Roy Walker's penultimate series (series 12) in 1997-98, and the BBC's Little Britain.[2] He also starred in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights (2001–02) for both series as Den Perry, the main "villain", and also the Governor in The Slammer. His most recent roles were in Benidorm in 2012 as Victor St. James as well as Hank Zipzer in episode 8 playing Bob Bing The Sausage King and Diddy TV playing Larry Weinsteinberger/Bingbongberger.
In 2004 he played Don Dibley in series 13 episode 11 of Heartbeat. Mountains and Molehills.
In 2020, Robbins appeared on the rebooted version of Crackerjack! as one of the "Crackerjack Players".
Personal life
Robbins is a supporter of Rossendale RUFC, where his son, Jack, played as a prop.[3] He is also a supporter of Wrexham AFC as was his father.[4]
Robbins is also the President of Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary in Edenfield, Lancashire.[5]
Robbins is the brother of actresses Kate and Amy Robbins and a first cousin once removed of Paul McCartney. His grandfather, also named Ted, served as secretary of the Football Association of Wales between 1909 and 1946.[6]
Robbins has performed in panto at the Charter Theatre, Preston and in 2014 he performed Cinderella at the Plaza Cinema in Stockport,[7] returning to play Widow Twanky in Aladdin in 2017.[8] He also performed in Cinderella at the Liverpool Empire in 2008.[9]
On 31 January 2015, Robbins suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on stage, clutching his chest, during his solo sketch at the opening night of the Phoenix Nights Live tour at the Manchester Arena.[10] His health has improved since then and he has lost two stone.[11]
^"BBC Lancashire programme schedule". (for 15 April 2011). BBC Radio Lancashire. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011. – the formatting of the archived page is slightly awry, but it provides schedule snapshot as a clear reference.
_(cropped).jpg)
