RIP Bob

The pet that inspired the book series and film A Street Cat Named Bob has died aged 14.

James Bowen with Bob in 2013.
Photograph: Sophia Evans/The Observer

James Bowen met Bob in 2007 during his battle with drug addiction when he found the cat abandoned and injured. He began taking the ginger cat, often seen wearing a scarf, with him when busking or selling The Big Issue in London. Bowen then wrote a book about their relationship, titled A Street Cat Named Bob, which became a smash hit and was made into a film in 2016 in which Bob played himself alongside six lookalikes.

I was so pleased when I ran into James with Bob on his shoulder near Covent Garden in London a number of years ago!

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