How Robbie went from Gillingham High School to landing a seventh series on BBC4 with a 42ft narrowboat called Naughty Lass
Image © Stuart Woodman
Robbie Cumming never imagined he’d end up a cult TV favourite. But after a chance offer from a school friend to house-sit a London canal boat, everything changed.
‘It was through Sam Martin – she was the year below me at school and later became a comedy producer,’ Robbie says. ‘In 2012, she had a boat in London she was trying to sell. She asked if I’d look after it, rent-free, while she sorted the sale. I was dating someone in London at the time, and I didn’t want to keep paying for train fares – so I said yes.
‘I didn’t even have a job at the time – I was trying – but I just fell in love with boat life. So I neglected the job hunt and my relationship … and then boat sold. So I was left with nothing but a drive to return to the canals to explore them further. I’d grown up in Gillingham with no idea what the canal system even was. I just thought boats were for hippies or old people.’
It wasn’t an instant transformation to a TV presenter life, however.
‘It took a further two years to find a boat I could afford! Then I spent my first year aboard, learning the ropes while trying to hold down my work from home job. I started a YouTube channel for fun, filming in my spare time. It’s pure chance the BBC picked it up – and that Canal Boat Diaries became a thing.’
Now filming its seventh season, the quietly captivating BBC Four series follows Robbie as he travels solo through the country’s canals, exploring quirky industrial engineering, forgotten landscapes, and the slow magic of life at 4mph – with his own music as the soundtrack.
‘I film most of it myself on my iPhone – it’s got a very DIY feel. But it’s polished by some brilliant people behind the scenes, and I’ve learned loads from them over the years. Working in TV was always the dream, but it still feels absolutely mad.’
The result is oddly soothing, gently funny and packed with surprising niche appeal: Canal Boat Diaries has found an unexpectedly broad audience, from young kids watching with their dad to heavy metal fans.
‘I think it’s the industrial heritage. Or maybe it’s just me being a bit of a weirdo!’
His own passions often sneak into the show. ‘I’ve featured Led Zeppelin’s house, bits of music history, even comedy stuff – because that’s always been part of me. I used to run a six-week improv comedy course in Shaftesbury when I lived there.
‘Music, design, videography – I’ve always been into all of it. This opportunity somehow brought everything together. And yeah, the audience might be niche – but I think niche audiences are undervalued.’
When he’s not on a tight schedule, Robbie says his Dorset roots take over: ‘If I’ve got time, I head straight for the quietest, most remote mooring I can find. Somewhere peaceful, with a nice view. I’ll have a little fire, a barbecue, just sit outside and enjoy nature.
‘TV work can be stressful – the pressure’s full-on. So when I get the chance, I’ll just find a spot where I can stare at a fire or look across the water. That’s my reset button.’
Back in Dorset this month for a live appearance at The Exchange at Sturminster Newton, Robbie’s excited to slow things down with a local audience.
‘Dorset doesn’t have the same industrial heritage you see up north, so I love showing people the forgotten corners I get to explore – oddly-shaped bridges, crumbling locks, canal archaeology … it’s all out there.’
Before he hits the stage, we threw 19 quick-fire questions Robbie’s way – here’s what he had to say…
Image © Stuart Woodman
- What’s your relationship with Dorset?
I lived just outside of Gillingham, on a garden centre, Milton Garden Plants, which moved and is now Orchard Park. I went to Gillingham High School and I moved away when I was about 20. My parents still live locally, though they’re in that weird bit around Shaftesbury which is technically Wiltshire. - The last song you sang out loud in the car?
Something by Bring Me the Horizon … probably Happy Song. - The last film you watched?
Beekeeper with Jason Statham. Its an enjoyable romp with old Statham, who never disappoints for me, in action terms. But the scene where he throws the jar of honey and sets it on fire was a bit far-fetched.
I couldn’t help but think “What are you doing?” I know honey’s technically combustible, but it’s not flammable! - It’s Friday night, you have the boat to yourself, no work is allowed. What will you do?
I would definitely sit and record some music, but I think that’ll come under the ‘work’ rule … so I’d probably end up playing video games. I admit I play a lot. That, and watch movies. - The best biscuit for dunking.
Moore’s Dorset Knob biscuits. I’ve been to the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival, which was just hilarious. If I remember correctly, it wasn’t just knob throwing: you could count the knobs, run the knob and spoon, guess the weight of the big knob … only in Dorset.
But yeah, they sell them as great to dunk in your cider, and you didn’t specify tea … - Your most annoying trait?
I can’t sit still and just chat normally in a pub setting. I find it excruciatingly painful. So I will, annoyingly, pester my friends or literally anyone who’s nearby into playing a game – pool, cards or Jenga, anything but sitting and chatting. Recently I was diagnosed as having ADHD – which probably explains a lot. - What advice would you give to 15-year-old you?
Don’t take life too seriously. But do remember that your mind is very, very powerful. If you think you’re going to achieve something, you will. But equally, if you doubt yourself and put yourself down, that will do the opposite.
I’ve never forgotten my careers advice at school: “You come from Gillingham, and you want to work in TV and radio or film? Forget about it.” That’s what they told me. They were trying to be realistic, I guess, but even when I was doing normal jobs and going the normal route, like everyone else, in the back of my mind, I believed in myself, that I was going to do something completely different and weird. So yeah … believe in yourself.
Image © Stuart Woodman
- What completely ordinary thing brings you disproportionate joy?
It’s just being on my boat sometimes when I’m in that peaceful location, having a camp-fire, and just sat there staring at the flames. It’s just such a stupid, simple thing … but it doesn’t give me joy. It gives me peace. I’m not out here looking for happiness. I’m looking for contentment. - What’s your secret superpower?
I think it’s being able to come up with ideas – many of which happen all at once, keeping me up at night … and it’s very difficult to pick the best one.
Also, being able to adapt to any circumstance – with a narrowboat, you have to be versatile and independent, and willing to rough it a bit. - What was the last gift you gave or received?
I bought my dad a trip on the Caledonian canal, we’re going on a family boat trip, for four nights. It’ll either be a lovely memory or a stressful nightmare. Probably both. - What totally irrational thing makes you unreasonably cross?
Being rushed, when I want to take my time.
I spend a lot of my life driving around at four miles an hour on a narrowboat, and roads often feel a bit hectic. But you encounter it on boats too. People hire one, and think they’re still on the roads and they’re just rushing to try and get as quickly as possible to the next place. And that’s not really the point. You’re in the wrong vehicle for that sort of thing. I wish people would just slow down a bit, chill out and enjoy the moment. - What’s your go-to comfort meal?
I think I’d have to say a carbonara, an absolute Italian classic, especially if you use the right ingredients. And I like pepper, so I put loads of pepper in it. Although I can’t say it’s a genuine recipe … if I made it for an Italian, they would probably spit it out again and accuse me of heresy. - What shop can you not pass without going in?
Any charity shop. I’m a massive charity shopper. I did try working in one in Gillingham once, the Poppy shop. But I found out very swiftly that what I really loved is going to all the different ones in a day, not being stuck in the same one! I just want have a rummage and see what’s there. You never know what you’re going to find. You can’t really go out looking for certain things in charity shops. You just have to see what turns up. - What little luxury would you buy with £10?
I might go to the gym. There’s a gym I know that’s £10 a session, but also they include a sauna and steam room. So that’s what I probably would do.
I know, it’s an odd luxury. But I’m travelling around on the boat a lot of the time. Because I don’t live in one place, I can’t just pop in to ‘my’ barbers, or whatever. I don’t have one, actually: going to the barbers is a treat, too.
Even though I’m bald. - The best crisps flavour?
Salted. I know that sounds very sad, but I’m allergic to certain ingredients, and they keep putting rapeseed oil in everything. Popchips, any flavour – but they are quite expensive. Poshchips.
Image © Robbie Cumming
- What was your first job and what did it teach you?
I worked for my dad, mowing lawns and helping customers.
It taught me the value of customer service, and that you’ve got to be polite to the people serving you, whether that’s in a pub, a supermarket … or the boy helping you in the garden centre.
I still remember the people who were rude to me! - What in life is frankly a mystery to you?
Women! I know, I’m not doing myself any favours saying that. - What was the first book you read and loved?
Goosebumps, by RL Stein. That was one of the first ones I remember genuinely enjoying reading … I find reading really hard to focus on for long. But Goosebumps was brilliant, and it gave me a lifelong interest in horror films. - You have the power to pass one law uncontested – what would you do?
You absolutely have to wave to someone else if you’re passing them on a boat. That’s it, it’s now officially law.
An Evening With Robbie Cumming will be at The Exchange in Sturminster Newton on Thursday, 16th October at 7:30pm. Tickets £20, available at: stur-exchange.co.uk
