From Eurovision to Spitting Image, the versatile career of British performer Kate Robbins

Cultures · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kate Robbins has navigated a remarkably diverse career across British entertainment. From representing the United Kingdom in a major song competition to voicing iconic satirical puppets and starring in television sitcoms, her path is defined by a rare ability to shift seamlessly between music, comedy, and dramatic acting roles.

Born in 1958, Kate Robbins began her professional journey in music before becoming a fixture of British television. Her early career included a notable appearance in the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the ensemble Prima Donna, which secured a third-place finish. Shortly after, she gained significant public attention through her role in the soap opera Crossroads, where her single More Than in Love climbed to number two on the UK Singles Chart. Her musical versatility continued throughout the 1980s, including providing lead vocals for the 1986 chart-topping hit The Chicken Song.

Robbins is perhaps best known for her extensive work in voice acting and satire. For a decade, starting in 1986, she provided a wide range of female voices for the influential satirical program Spitting Image. Her vocal talents extended beyond television into the gaming world, where she voiced various characters for the Discworld series in the 1990s. She has also demonstrated a flair for character comedy, appearing in series such as dinnerladies and performing in radio productions like Dead Ringers. Her ability to inhabit different personas was further showcased in 1995 when she provided every voice for the children's show The Caribou Kitchen.

Beyond her performance work, Robbins has maintained a long-standing connection to the arts through family and professional recognition. She is a first cousin once removed of Paul McCartney, and her parents once hosted McCartney and John Lennon for a performance at their pub in Reading. In 2007, the University of Bedfordshire honored her lifetime contribution to the performing arts with an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree. Today, she remains active in the industry, appearing alongside her daughter, Emily Atack, on television programs such as Steph's Packed Lunch and Celebrity Gogglebox.

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