Gordon Bobby Roberts (1928 - November 19, 2023),[1] better known as Gordon the Tramp, was a resident of Bournemouth who was famous for always knowing the correct time even though he did not own a watch.[2]

He was a well known character in Bournemouth with his large beard and Manchester United scarf, which he wore to all the AFC Bournemouth games.[3] Despite his nickname, Roberts was not actually a homeless man as he owned a house in Charminster, Bournemouth.[4]

Roberts became an internet phenomenon when Chris Kimber, a Bournemouth University student, created a Facebook page on his behalf.[5] As of January 2010 he has gathered an appreciative collection of 14,685 friends on this site;[6][7] fans have uploaded pictures of themselves with Roberts and added stories about meeting him.[5][8] The phenomenon has been widely reported in many UK newspapers and has spread as far as the Netherlands and Australia.[9] He has also been a subject on South England's Meridian News which can be viewed on video sharing websites such as YouTube. On 13 January 2010, a Facebook group was set up proclaiming Roberts had died of a heart attack. However, it was soon discovered to be a hoax and shortly afterwards he was found alive and well in Bournemouth town centre.[10] As of July 2011, an online campaign was underway to have Roberts carry the Olympic torch as it passed through Bournemouth.[11] The singer/songwriter Julian Barry who is also from Bournemouth wrote a song titled 'Gordon The Tramp' about Gordon Roberts.

Roberts passed away on November 19, 2023.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Exclusive interview with living legend... Gordon the Tramp". Bournemouth Daily Echo. 2010. Retrieved 20 January 2010.
  2. ↑ "Tramp shoots to fame on internet". BBC News. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  3. ↑ "'Gordon the Tramp' Global Star!". AFC Bournemouth. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  4. ↑ "Gordon the Tramp on the news!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Gordon the Tramp". Facebook. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  6. ↑ "Gordon the Tramp Facebook Group". Facebook. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  7. ↑ "Worldwide Fame For Time-Telling Tramp". Sky News. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  8. ↑ "Tramp becomes facebook hero". Metro (Associated Metro Limited). Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  9. ↑ "Engelse zwerver wordt hit op Facebook". NU.nl. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  10. ↑ "Gordon the Tramp: back from the dead". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 14 January 2010.
  11. ↑ "Bid for Bournemouth character to carry Olympic torch" BBC
  12. ↑ Simpson, Matt (20 November 2023). "Bournemouth legend 'Gordon the Tramp' has died aged 94". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved 20 November 2023.


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