TOP MOMENTS

1984

First picked for England.

1985

Started at Browning: “It was a big thing. Very few sponsored anglers existed, and I was one of the first. I haven’t had a ‘proper’ job since!”

1986

Won the UK Championships for a winning total of £6,000: “The beginning of a salary.”

1990

Won first Individual World Championships in Yugoslavia: “I secured individual wins on both days, a really big achievement at the time.”

1991

Won second Individual World Championships in Hungary: “I won my section on both days, and it was a team win too.”

1994

Won third Individual World Championships: “My biggest win. I really have to thank my team mates – frankly I was a lucky sod to win the individual in ultra-tough conditions.”

1996

Awarded an MBE for services to angling: “It was a great honour to be recognised, great to see angling in that light.”

1999

First person to become four-times Individual World Champion: “Looking back it’s utterly ridiculous, how did I manage that? I also hold the record for the biggest match weight, more than 119lb, which won me this match.”

2001

World Champs team win in France: “We beat the French on their home soil, fishing on the Seine right in the middle of Paris – a great moment.”

2001-PRESENT

Starred in more than 70 TV programmes, instructional DVDs, and magazine features, with countless show appearances. Bob also takes anglers out for tuition days.