Robert Harper known as Bobby Ball (born 28 January 1944) is an English comedian, best known as one half of the double act Cannon and Ball, with Tommy Cannon. They hosted their own ITV show The Cannon and Ball Show for nine years between 1979 and 1988. Ball has since gone on to star in various sitcoms and dramas including Last of the Summer Wine, Heartbeat and Not Going Out.

In 2005, Ball took part in the fifth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

Biographie

Ball married his first wife, Joan Lynn, in 1964, with whom he had two sons, Robert (born 1965) and Darren (born 1969), who are now a comedy double act in their own right, performing under their surname 'Harper'. Ball and Lynn separated in 1970. Ball married his second wife, Yvonne Nugent, in 1974 (although some reports say 1971.). The couple have a daughter, Joanne (born 1972). Ball and Nugent live in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire.

Ball became a born-again Christian in 1986, as did Cannon in 1992, with their conversion having a lot to do with the re-kindling of their broken friendship. Together, they published a book called Christianity for Beginners. They now regularly feature in their own gospel and "An audience with..." show in churches around the country.