Essex

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-essex-accident-motorbike.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris Essex tv star" class="wp-image-14624" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-essex-accident-motorbike.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-essex-accident-motorbike-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-essex-accident-motorbike-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-essex-accident-motorbike-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Bobby, we’re sorry to read about your accident [Bobby was reportedly hit by a motorbike in London]. We’ve heard you’ve a fractured knee – are you OK? I’m so sorry but I&#8217;m not allowed to talk about it, babes. I hope you understand!



Of course, as long as you’re OK. So, let’s move on to something you can talk about – your upcoming role in panto! I’m so excited! The pantos called Tinderella and is at the <a href="https://brentwood-theatre.co.uk/event/tinderella-the-adult-panto/2024-01-04/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brentwood Theatre from 4-6 January 2024</a>. It’s a twist on Cinderella, and I play the role of Prince Charming. I love pantos – to me, it&#8217;s not Christmas unless a panto’s involved.



But this one’s for over 18s only? Yup – I’ve seen a few adult ones over the last few years, and I absolutely love them. Tinderella’s definitely for adults, as it&#8217;s a bit naughty and very much tongue in cheek. January can be one of those months where everyone feels flat, so start the New Year off by seeing something hilarious!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-pantomime-tinderella-brentwood.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris TV star Essex accident pantomime " class="wp-image-14622" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-pantomime-tinderella-brentwood.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-pantomime-tinderella-brentwood-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-pantomime-tinderella-brentwood-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-pantomime-tinderella-brentwood-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



What kind of Prince Charming will you be? I don’t know – I&#8217;ve never been cast as Prince Charming before and I’m absolutely honoured! If you’d have asked me 25 years ago if I’d be playing a starring role in panto I’d never have believed you!



Let’s move on to life as an Essex teenager. How was life growing up? Growing up gay I suffered homophobia and name-calling, which I still get to this day. Like most of the population, I love a bit of social media. The problem is there’s a dark side to it, especially with all the trolling. It gives them the chance to crawl out from under their bridge and spew abuse. I’ve had it all – even death threats – but luckily have thick skin. I’m grateful that social media wasn’t like what it is now when I was a teenager, as 12 or 13 year old Bobby Norris would have struggled.



So what would you say to teenagers worried about coming out? Come out when you feel it’s 100% right and speak to someone; when you feel ready to; be it a parent, colleague or your teacher. To some extent we’re progressing, and things are getting better – but it&#8217;s never going to be a walk in the park. I&#8217;m no psychologist, but the rise of mental health in the younger generation at the height of social media’s got to have a connection. For me growing up there was none of that – some of my biggest worries involved searching for a new Nokia phone case down North Weald market.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-north-weald-market.jpg" alt="North Weald market essex" class="wp-image-14625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-north-weald-market.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-north-weald-market-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-north-weald-market-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-north-weald-market-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You’ve spoken about bad times, so let’s move on to some better memories. You mentioned North Weald; where else did you hang out? I loved North Weald on a Saturday morning searching for flashing aerials, back in the day when mobiles had aerials! A lot of my time was spent in Harlow, Loughton and Epping. I also used to hang out in Brentwood filming TOWIE.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-clacton-pier.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris Clacton Pier
" class="wp-image-14626" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-clacton-pier.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-clacton-pier-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-clacton-pier-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-clacton-pier-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And where else did you go to have fun? Definitely Southend or Clacton for a laugh on the 2p machines. You’d think all the time I spent there would mean I’d be great on the celeb version of Tipping Point, but I was rubbish both times! It takes hours to drive to Bristol where they film it and I think in total I was on the show for about six minutes! But you do get a grand for charity, so happy days.



Where will we find you in Essex these days? I love a bit of Sheesh; their dishes are amazing, and I also like to go into town for a nice meal out. Anywhere where there&#8217;s a good steak, I&#8217;m there. I’m not really into bars or clubs anymore; instead, I like a drink with dinner or popping in to a nice pub after taking the dog for a walk. Especially if there’s gammon and egg on the menu – you can’t beat a bit of gammon and egg!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-sheesh-restaurant-chigwell.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris and his mum at Sheesh restaurant " class="wp-image-14627" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-sheesh-restaurant-chigwell.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-sheesh-restaurant-chigwell-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-sheesh-restaurant-chigwell-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-sheesh-restaurant-chigwell-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You said you don’t go clubbing anymore – what about growing up? All the clubs I used to go to have shut down. I loved Hollywood’s down Romford, and Jumping Jacks in Ilford. Clubs used to be huge, but either they’re not such a big thing anymore or I’ve simply outgrown them.



Is there anywhere else you spend time in Essex? I go to Ripped Gym in Harlow four or five times a week. I absolutely love it there – it’s not posey in the slightest. My passion for fitness kicked off when we went into lockdown. Everyone thought it would only be for a few weeks, so some started learning languages and others got in on the old sourdough action. I was never going to learn Latin or bake bread, so just sat there watching Homes under the Hammer. I then decided to order a couple of dumbbells and found working out helped with my anxiety. Once we were allowed back into gyms I tried Harlow’s Ripped Gym and instantly felt comfortable, as no one judged me walking in as little Bobby Beansprout. It’s a huge part of my life now.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-body-transformation-essex.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris gym transformation " class="wp-image-14629" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-body-transformation-essex.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-body-transformation-essex-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-body-transformation-essex-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-body-transformation-essex-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



How about relaxing? I’m a sucker for a spa. Down Hall in Bishop&#8217;s Stortford is fantastic for a facial and then a neck, back and shoulder massage. It’s a beautiful building inside and out, and the spa facilities are amazing.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="600" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-down-hall-spa.jpg" alt="Bobby Norris Down Hall Hotel &amp; Spa Essex" class="wp-image-14630" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-down-hall-spa.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-down-hall-spa-800x480.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-down-hall-spa-768x461.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/11/bobby-norris-down-hall-spa-875x525.jpg 875w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



A final question, if Wikipedia’s correct. You’re 40 in three years – what’s on your bucket list before then? I&#8217;m bothered a lot less about turning 40 than when I was about to hit 30. When I was 29 I thought I had to achieve tons before the big 3-0. But actually&nbsp;my thirties have turned out to be my best years yet. I care a lot less about what people think, so for the next three years I want to not be led by my fears or anxieties. I&#8217;ll continue doing things I didn’t think I’d be able to; or couldn’t do. And prove myself – and others, I guess – wrong.



<a href="https://brentwood-theatre.co.uk/event/tinderella-the-adult-panto/2024-01-04/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tinderella is showing at the Brentwood Theatre</a>&nbsp;from 4-6 Jan 2024. Strictly for those 18 and over, it’s a modern take on Cinderella with singing, dancing and a fun-filled evening of laughter.

Celebrity interview: Essex TV star Bobby Norris

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