bobby davro

BOBBY DAVRO
AGE: 51
OCCUPATION: COMEDIAN & EX-EASTENDER
SKATING PARTNER: MOLLY MOENKHOFF

“I’m 51, I’m not an athlete and I’m not a sportsman. I’m a comedian – I’m built for comedy. Please take that into consideration everyone!’

Comedian Bobby Davro reveals that when it comes to the live shows he’ll be playing it for laughs.

‘I’m not in there to show people how brilliant I am, I’m in there to entertain and that’s hopefully what I will bring to the show,’ he says. ‘I’m going to have some fun with it. I’m sure I’m not going to win but I don’t want to go out the first week either. I’d like to stay in for a few weeks because of all the effort I’ve put in. I’m not expecting to get anywhere near the final but to get halfway would be great. I’ve got more chance of being handcuffed to a ghost than making the final. But people do like to see someone fall over and make an idiot of themselves and there is every chance I will be that person this year. Trying to make idiots like me look good on a pair of skates isn’t the easiest thing to do but I’m trying. I certainly won’t be the best one, but I’d like to think I won’t be the worst one either. All I will say it at this stage I’m better than Todd Carty ever was!
‘One of my mates came to see me in training a while ago and he nearly wet himself when he saw me on the ice. I’ve got a lot better since then and now I’d say my skating style is more like Ozzy Osbourne in the way he shuffles around the place.’
Despite a lifetime on the comedy circuit, Bobby insists Dancing On Ice is his toughest gig yet.
‘It is the hardest thing I have ever done. Physically hard. Plus I’ve been suffering terribly from cramp in my feet which is excruciatingly painful and won’t go away. Sometimes it lasts for the whole session which just spoils it for me. But I’m not going to whinge. I’ve learnt an awful lot and I’m enjoying it more every time I get on the ice. I really feel like I am achieving something even I’m a bit scared of doing myself an injury. At my age it’s not as easy as the youngsters find it, so I’ve decided I’m representing the dads. Hopefully all the fathers that think they’re not doing anything with their kids will see it’s never too late to get up and learn something new.
‘My kids are thrilled I’m on the show and can’t wait to come along. My youngest daughter loves skating and that’s the best thing for me about being trained to do this – that I’ve learnt something I can do with my daughter. I said to her: ‘I’m learning to skate for the show and I’ll make you proud of me’ and she just replied: ‘Daddy, I’m already proud of you.’ That was a lovely moment for me, it really was and means so much more to me than what the judges think. I know they’re going to criticise me and that Jason Gardiner loves to have a go doesn’t he? I don’t mind what he says, I can accept it. You can’t take it too seriously and as long as I’ve showed that I’ve tried I don’t mind him saying I’m crap because I probably am crap.’ he adds, chuckling.
‘Look, at the end of the day we are all there to entertain and if what he’s saying is constructive then fine, if it’s destroying someone for the sake of it then I will have a go back. But I’ve got to be careful. I’ve spent my life putting people down and making jokes about them, so if I’ve dished it out I’ve got to be prepared to take it haven’t I?
‘There are going to be a few people who know me well with smiles on their faces when they see me in my costumes. I never thought I was vain before but I looked at myself in my first outfit and I thought I could do with losing a few pounds. That lycra stuff isn’t very flattering. It sort of clings a bit. I’m not obese but I could do with losing half a stone, although I haven’t got enough hours in the day to go to the gym or the energy. I’m 51, I’m not an athlete and I’m not a sportsman. I’m a comedian – I’m built for comedy. Please take that into consideration everyone!’