Advertisement
Film

Street Cat Bob memorial unveiled by James Bowen: Exclusive video

Only a handful of people could be there on the day to see the Street Cat Bob memorial, but you can watch James Bowen’s moving tribute here.  

A memorial to Street Cat Bob – featuring a life-size statue – has been opened in London, and The Big Issue can bring you exclusive video from the ceremony.

Bob’s best friend James Bowen unveiled the moving tribute to the cat who helped him overcome homelessness and addiction.

“This means a lot to me,” said James, addressing the small gathering of fans in Islington Green. “I know it means a lot to all of you guys. Everybody here has a story to tell about how much Bob means to them. I don’t have any way I could ever express how grateful I am to commemorate this amazing little man.”

James said that it was a “cathartic” day, adding: “Bob is forever a part of Islington. We’ve made our mark on this place. And Bob has definitely earned it. I’m proud of him.”

Tanya Russell, the sculptor behind the tribute to Street Cat Bob, said she had been nervous about the unveiling.

“It’s such an important sculpture. It’s portraying a story that is so important to so many people,” she said.

Advertisement
Advertisement

“The fans have so much love for Bob and James. It was really important for me to try and capture the real essence of Bob.”

Due to Covid restrictions, only a handful of people were able to be there to see the Street Cat Bob memorial revealed.

Among them was Angela Binns, who said she’s been following the story of Street Cat Bob and James Bowen for years.

“I think the statue’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s a good likeness, especially the way the eyes seem to be looking straight at you. Bob had such wisdom in his eyes.”

Read more about Street Cat Bob.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

Read All
'War is madness': Steve McQueen and Saoirse Ronan on Britishness, trauma and new drama Blitz
Exclusive

'War is madness': Steve McQueen and Saoirse Ronan on Britishness, trauma and new drama Blitz

Anora review – even Russian mercenaries have a sensitive side 
Film

Anora review – even Russian mercenaries have a sensitive side 

The Room Next Door review – Pedro Almodóvar puts friendship and assisted dying in laser-focus
Film

The Room Next Door review – Pedro Almodóvar puts friendship and assisted dying in laser-focus

Timestalker review – digging deep into how love makes fools of us all
Alice Lowe in Timestalker
Film

Timestalker review – digging deep into how love makes fools of us all

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue