Comedian and actor Bobby Davro: My recipe for happiness

Comedy legend Bobby Davro has spent his life performing and looking for the humour in life. He had his own shows in the Nineties, including Bobby Davro On The Box, and went on to play Vinnie Monks in EastEnders in the mid-Noughties, and has made appearances on a string of reality shows, including Dancing On Ice, Come Dine With Me and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015. He most recently took part in The Chase Celebrity Special.

The entertainer’s joined celebrities – including actress Amanda Barrie, Gogglebox’s Sandra Martin and Sandi Bogle, and Lady Colin Campbell – and NHS staff to record a new charity single, a cover of Mariah Carey’s Hero. Profits are going to NHS Charities Together in support of the Covid-19 appeal.

He opens up about his key ingredients for a happy life, and why he believes the secrets are in the stars.

1. Being with my family

“Being at home during the lockdown with my daughters Brittany, 25, a solicitor and Marnie, 20, a uni student is a joy. My middle daughter, Tierney, 23, is staying nearby with their mum, my ex-wife (former Page Three model, Trudi Jameson). Spending so much time with my girls has been the bonus of this situation. They’re beautiful inside and out and I count my blessings that I have them.

“I’ve often thought if you could bottle those precious memories of their childhood and take a swig from it every so often, it would give you an instantly happy feeling.

“I’ve always told them that love and happiness are the key things to strive for in life. That’s what motivates me, rather than money. My advice to them on men is short and sweet: ‘Find someone who’s going to smudge your lipstick and doesn’t make your mascara run.’”

2. Going fishing

“I’m someone who gets very stressed and fishing’s one of my favourite ways to relax. There’s nothing nicer than sitting beside a lake or river and watching a float bob up and down and hopefully catching tench or carp. Chris Tarrant and I have been on great fishing sessions and I’m looking forward to arranging an outing soon.”

3. Listening to music

“Singer, Gilbert O’Sullivan’s one of my closest friends and he and his family have been wonderful to me. He always makes me feel happy and special whenever I see him and his music’s been the soundtrack to my life.”

4. A toast on a special occasion

“A glass of Dom Perignon champagne on my birthday and on Christmas Day is a traditional treat for me – I associate it with celebrations and good memories. I’ll be 62 in September, which I can’t believe – I feel about 40.”

5. Watching old movies

“There’s nothing to beat an evening watching old black and white classic movies, like Brief Encounter and Casablanca, or modern rom-coms like The Holiday. My favourites are feel-good films that leave you with a warm glow.”

6. Searching for humour

“I love seeing the funny side of life and I’m a collector of jokes – I can’t even count how many I’ve got in my collection. I’m always looking for new ones and new people to impersonate and practising my delivery techniques and singing. When I’m doing that, I’m totally lost in my own world – the hours fly by – as I’m completely happy and absorbed.”

7. Walking a dog

“I had a wonderful cocker spaniel about 10 years ago and I’d love another. They’re a wonderful motivation to be active and walk, which is definitely what I need to do. I don’t do enough exercise.”

8. Reaching for the stars

“I’m a huge astronomy fan – anything to do with the solar system, space, satellites and exploration of our galaxy fascinates me. I’m always on the internet checking out the latest news on it.

“Years ago I was in the Falkland Islands entertaining the troops, and as there’s no light pollution, the sky is amazing. At night it looked as though someone had sprinkled the stars over a black piece of velvet.

“We’re so small in the universe but I don’t believe we’re alone in it. I think there’s other life out there but we’ll never find it because it’s too far away. It will probably replace our species one day. Looking at the vastness of the galaxy reinforces my view that we’re really only here for a nano-second, so we’d better enjoy it and focus on the good and positive things, not the sad, horrible things, otherwise you’re a fool and [will] waste your life. It’s about being busy and living to the full.”

You can download the Hero charity single via iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify and all major download sites with all profits going to NHS Charities Together in support of the Covid-19 Appeal. Visit nhscharitiestogether.co.uk.