A Street Cat Named Bob: Much-loved moggy who inspired book and film dies

17 June 2020, 09:59

Bob's owner, James Bowen, said: "There's never been a cat like him. And never will again. I feel like the light has gone out in my life. I will never forget him."

Bob the cat, the ginger stray who inspired the bestselling book and film A Street Cat Named Bob, has died aged 14.

James Bowen, Bob's owner, penned the true story after finding the abandoned cat in 2007 while he was battling a drug addiction.

Bowen decided to look after the animal, taking the moggy with him when selling The Big Issue or busking in London. The pair became "inseparable".

Bob's story, published in 2012, became a bestseller and was turned into a film four years later.

The sequel, A Gift from Bob, is set to be released later this year.

The sad news was shared to the James Bowen & Streetcat Bob Facebook page, along with a statement from Bowen which said: "Bob saved my life. It's as simple as that.

"He gave me so much more than companionship. With him at my side, I found a direction and purpose that I’d been missing."

He added: "The success we achieved together through our books and films was miraculous. He’s met thousands of people, touched millions of lives.

"There's never been a cat like him. And never will again. I feel like the light has gone out in my life. I will never forget him."