Who is Kate Robbins?
Kate Robbins is an English actress, singer, songwriter, and impressionist who rose to prominence in the 1980s as the voice behind many of the female characters on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image. Born on 21 August 1958 in Margate, Kent, she has built a versatile career spanning comedy, music, and drama, with recent roles in Netflix’s After Life and ITV’s Unforgotten. Despite her public profile, details about her personal life remain relatively private.
Robbins is also part of a well‑known showbusiness family: her sister is actress Amy Robbins, her brother is comedian Ted Robbins, and she is the mother of actress and comedian Emily Atack. Her family connections extend even further – she is a first cousin once removed of Paul McCartney.
Who is Kate Robbins?
Kate Elizabeth Robbins
21 August 1958 (age 66)
Actress, singer, songwriter, impressionist
Spitting Image, After Life, Unforgotten, The Couple Next Door
- Kate Robbins is a versatile performer who rose to fame as an impressionist on Spitting Image in the 1980s.
- She has maintained a steady career in British television, with recent roles in Netflix’s After Life and ITV’s Unforgotten.
- Her family connections include her sister Amy Robbins, also an actress, and her daughter Emily Atack.
- Despite being a public figure, details about her husband and personal life are not widely documented.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kate Elizabeth Robbins |
| Date of birth | 21 August 1958 |
| Place of birth | Margate, Kent, England |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, songwriter, impressionist |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Notable works | Spitting Image, After Life, Unforgotten, The Couple Next Door |
| Sister | Amy Robbins (actress) |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Eye color | Not publicly confirmed |
Who are Kate Robbins’ family members?
Her daughter and other children
Kate Robbins has three children with former husband Keith Atack, a musician. Their eldest is Emily Atack (born 1989), who went on to become a well‑known comedian and actress, famous for The Inbetweeners and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. She also has a daughter, Martha Atack (born 1991), and a son, George Atack (born 1992).
Her sister Amy Robbins
Amy Robbins is Kate’s younger sister and also an actress, known for roles in Holby City, The Royal, and Doctors. The two have occasionally worked together; Amy is married to actor Robert Daws.
Her husband
Kate Robbins married Keith Atack in 1987. The couple divorced around 2007–2008. Keith Atack is a musician and songwriter, and the pair collaborated on some of Kate’s early music projects.
Other relatives
Kate’s brother is comedian Ted Robbins. She also has sisters named Jane and Emma. Through her mother Elizabeth “Bett” Robbins, she is a first cousin once removed of Paul McCartney.
Kate Robbins belongs to a large British entertainment family. Her brother Ted is a well‑known comedian, her sister Amy is an actress, and her daughter Emily Atack is a household name. This family network has played a significant role in her career, though Kate has carved her own path primarily through voice work and music.
What are Kate Robbins’ most notable TV roles?
Spitting Image (1986–1996)
Robbins provided almost all of the female voices on the iconic satirical puppet show from series 3 to 20. She impersonated figures such as Doris Day and Edith Piaf. Her work on Spitting Image made her one of the most prolific voice artists on British television during that period.
After Life (Season 3, 2021–2022)
In the Netflix series created by and starring Ricky Gervais, Robbins played Penny Spencer‑Wright, a fortune‑telling author. She appeared in three episodes of the final season.
Unforgotten (2015)
Robbins has a credited role in the acclaimed ITV crime drama Unforgotten, though details of her character are not widely described in primary biographies.
Other TV credits
She played Babs in the BBC sitcom Dinnerladies and appeared in Grumpy Old Women tours (2014–2016). More recently, she starred in Channel 4’s The Couple Next Door (2024) and will appear in Disney+’s Rivals Season 2 (2025).
What is Kate Robbins’ height and eye color?
Reliable sources do not publicly list Kate Robbins’ height or eye color. Her primary biographies on Wikipedia and IMDb omit these details. One search result mentions a 6′2″ “Kate Robbins,” but that refers to a basketball player for Marist College, not the actress. It is likely that her physical attributes have not been emphasized in media coverage.
When searching for Kate Robbins’ height, you may encounter a 6′2″ result. This belongs to an American college basketball player, not the English actress. Always verify the source – the actress’ height is not recorded in any official biography.
What was Kate Robbins’ early career like?
Before becoming a voice‑over star, Robbins had a notable music career. In 1980 she released the single “More Than in Love”, which reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. That same year she represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 as part of the group Prima Donna, performing “Love Enough for Two” and finishing third. During this period she also appeared in the soap opera Crossroads.
She later wrote the theme tune for Cilla Black’s show Surprise, Surprise!. Her early work blending music and acting laid the foundation for her later success as an impressionist on Spitting Image.
What is the timeline of Kate Robbins’ career?
- 1958 – Born in Margate, Kent.
- 1980 – Single “More Than in Love” reaches No. 2 in the UK; competes in Eurovision with Prima Donna.
- 1986–1996 – Provides female voices for Spitting Image (series 3–20).
- 2000s – Continues acting in television and theatre, including Dinnerladies.
- 2014–2016 – Tours with Grumpy Old Women.
- 2021–2022 – Appears as Penny Spencer‑Wright in Netflix’s After Life Season 3.
- 2024 – Stars in Channel 4’s The Couple Next Door.
- 2025 – Set to appear in Disney+’s Rivals Season 2.
What is known and what remains unclear about Kate Robbins?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Born on 21 August 1958 in Margate, Kent. | Exact height and eye color are not reliably sourced. |
| She is an English actress, singer, and impressionist. | The name of her husband is not publicly confirmed – though she was married to Keith Atack. |
| Her sister is actress Amy Robbins. | Details about her early family life are limited. |
| She performed on Spitting Image and had a top‑10 single. | – |
What is the broader context of Kate Robbins’ career?
Kate Robbins is a distinctive figure in British entertainment, balancing comedy, music, and drama. Her career trajectory from impressionist on Spitting Image to dramatic roles in After Life demonstrates versatility. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she has maintained a relatively private personal life, leading to gaps in public knowledge about her family and physical attributes. This article consolidates verified information and highlights areas where further reliable sources are needed.
Where can I find reliable information about Kate Robbins?
The most authoritative sources for Kate Robbins’ biography are her Wikipedia page and her IMDb profile. She maintains an active Instagram account (@katerobbins) where she posts updates on current projects. Her professional voice‑over profile on Hobsons International also lists her credits.
“Kate Elizabeth Robbins (born 21 August 1958) is an English actress, director, singer, and songwriter.” – Wikipedia
“Kate Robbins (born in Margate, Kent) is an English actress, comedian, singer and songwriter.” – IMDb
What is the key takeaway about Kate Robbins?
Kate Robbins is a versatile British entertainer with a career that spans impressions, music, and dramatic acting. While she is related to several other public figures – including her sister Amy Robbins and her daughter Emily Atack – she remains a respected professional in her own right. Her most memorable work includes a decade on Spitting Image and a poignant role in the final season of After Life (TV series). Reliable details about her height, eye color, and early family life are scarce, but her body of work is well documented.
Frequently asked questions about Kate Robbins
What is Kate Robbins’ most famous role?
She is best known for her impressions on Spitting Image and her role as Penny Spencer‑Wright in the Netflix series After Life.
Does Kate Robbins have children?
Yes, she has three children: Emily Atack (born 1989), Martha Atack (born 1991), and George Atack (born 1992).
Is Kate Robbins related to Amy Robbins?
Yes, Amy Robbins is her younger sister.
What is Kate Robbins’ height?
Her height has not been publicly verified. A 6′2″ result online refers to a basketball player, not the actress.
What is Kate Robbins’ eye color?
Her eye color is not reliably documented in any official source.
How old is Kate Robbins?
She was born on 21 August 1958, making her 66 years old as of 2024.
What is Kate Robbins’ Instagram handle?
Her official Instagram username is @katerobbins.
Was Kate Robbins married?
Yes, she was married to musician Keith Atack from 1987 until their divorce around 2007–2008.
Did Kate Robbins sing in Eurovision?
Yes, she represented the UK in 1980 as a member of the group Prima Donna, finishing third with “Love Enough for Two.”
What is Kate Robbins’ connection to Paul McCartney?
She is a first cousin once removed – her mother Elizabeth “Bett” Robbins was McCartney’s cousin.
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Oscar Friel covers business regulation, public policy, economics and institutional accountability for Civic Affairs.