Bobby Davro: Finding Laughter Amidst Profound Grief
Comedian Bobby Davro, 57, has candidly shared the immense challenges of performing stand-up gigs while grappling with profound personal loss, particularly in the years following the tragic death of his fiancée, Vicky Wright. The veteran entertainer recounted the harrowing experience of battling grief, admitting to shedding tears on his way to a performance, only to break down again once he was back in the solitude of his dressing room.
Speaking on Hayley Palmer’s show, Audience at The Hippodrome, in London’s Leicester Square, Davro emphasised the therapeutic power of his profession. “I’ve been going on stage, but being a comedian, it actually helps,” he stated. “Laughter is the best medicine… unless you’ve got erectile dysfunction, then that’s just cruel,” he quipped, injecting a characteristic touch of humour even in the face of deep sorrow.
He elaborated on the coping mechanism that comedy provided during his darkest hours. “When I have been my saddest, you go on stage and you’ve got to think about what you’re doing. You go on stage and it helps,” Davro explained. “I’ve cried many times when I have lost people in my life and cried all the way to the venue.”
The emotional toll of his profession became starkly evident as he described the dichotomy of his on-stage persona and his private anguish. “You go on and you do the show, people are laughing, you hear the laughter, and then you go back in the dressing room and feel sad again.”
Vicky Wright, his beloved fiancée and the daughter of the late England captain Billy Wright and Beverley Sisters singer Joy Beverley, passed away in May 2023 at the age of 63, after a courageous but short battle with pancreatic cancer. Davro expressed his devastation, describing her passing as “devastating” in a heartfelt message.
The former EastEnders star penned a poignant tribute to his late partner: “It’s been just over a week since my beautiful @vickywright5459 left this world and it’s only now I feel strong enough to share my feelings. I want to thank everyone for their support and expressions of love and kindness you have shown me and Vicky’s family and loved ones.”
He continued, his words laced with unbearable pain: “To think we will never hear her voice, to hear laughter, look into her beautiful eyes, see her smile, to hold her and to kiss her is devastating and so incredibly painful. She will be in my thoughts and in my heart forever. She was my Schluffe and I loved her and always will.”
Accompanying his message was a striking photograph of Vicky, captioned: “I will miss you very much and I will love you forever. RIP my beautiful Schluffe. No more pain darling. No more pain.”
In a testament to his dedication and resilience, Davro returned to performing just one day after Vicky’s passing. He made the difficult decision to honour his commitments, vowing to perform through his grief to avoid disappointing fans who had already purchased tickets.
Despite his profound heartache, Davro took to the stage at the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on May 5th, performing four shows for his friend Jim Davidson’s Ustreme online comedy channel. Davidson later took to his YouTube channel to commend Davro for his professionalism, calling him a “trooper” who understood the importance of the show going on.
Davidson shared his thoughts from the Tivoli Theatre, stating: “We have to say goodbye Vicky Wright. It’s a sad old day. I’m down here in Wimborne at the Tivoli Theatre on the set of Ustream’s Left, Right and Centre, the award-winning panel show and I’m sitting in Miles Crawford’s seat and we’re all a little bit quiet today.”
Adding to the challenges Davro has faced, the following year saw him experience a minor stroke. He fell ill and collapsed during a live show in Surrey, having just received a standing ovation at a sold-out gig. He described the incident as a “funny turn.”
A source close to the comedian reported at the time, “His condition has greatly improved and he’s now resting at home. Clearly he’s feeling much better as Bobby described his proximity to the hospital and the excellent care he received there as ‘a real stroke of luck’.” This resilience in the face of adversity further highlights Davro’s enduring spirit.
