Xtra Diary: Bob the cat on move to Westminster after having collar felt

Published: 17 June 2011
by JOSH LOEB

IT’S a heartwarming tale that would not be out of place in a Hollywood film. 

When Big Issue seller James Bowen discovered a stray cat limping, apparently having been attacked by foxes, he nursed the handsome creature back to health. 

Ever since the feline, who James has named “Bob”, has barely left his side. 

“I kept him for two weeks until he was well enough to go on his way,” James told the West End Extra’s sister paper the Islington Tribune last year. 

“When I opened the front door to let him out Bob wouldn’t move. 

He seemed to be saying, ‘I want to stay with you’.”

This week James and Bob temporarily relocated from their regular pitch outside Angel station – where they are minor celebrities – to Westminster. 

“The Metropolitan Police were carrying out an anti-knife campaign outside the station,” James explained. “They said I was causing an obstruction, so I came down to Soho for the day.”

On Tuesday, when Diary spotted the pair in Dean Street, Bob was purring with delight as passing tourists and Soho revellers stopped to stroke him. 

Perhaps he will be back in these parts again soon. 

He was recently presented with a special cat travelcard by his greatest fans, the staff at Angel station.