18/11/2025
Bob Olley - 26th September 1958 – 14th October 2025
Today, on the day of his funeral, we are deeply saddened to mark the passing of our good friend and colleague, Bob Olley. Bob passed away on 14 October in a hospice near his home in West Yorkshire after bravely facing his battle with cancer.
Bob was one of Film & TV’s longest-serving members of staff, having retired in 2018. His career with Eddie and Julie began in 1983, when he joined Film & TV as a lighting electrician in Acton, West London, following his service in the RAF.
In his early years, Bob worked extensively with BBC News, covering major stories including the miners’ strike, the troubles in Northern Ireland, and many other significant events. He later earned his HGV licence so he could drive generators and soon moved into drama productions such as Howards Way and Trainer, as well as numerous music videos, Royal engagements, and political assignments.
Around 1994, Bob transitioned into sports outside broadcasting. He became one of Film & TV’s first engineers to operate a twin-set generator, delivering seamless power on the European Tour Golf. He went on to work across a wide range of OBs—football, rugby, darts, snooker, and many more—but his greatest passion was Sky Cricket, where he formed lasting friendships with many members of the crew.
Bob married his wife, Lynn, in 1984. They lived in Middlesex before moving back to West Yorkshire in 2002 and enjoyed many happy times together at their holiday apartment in Spain, where they spent countless hours relaxing in the sunshine with a glass of wine.
At 13:15 today, our thoughts will be with Lynn and the rest of Bob’s family. We will always remember Bob’s warm smile, his kindness, and the true professionalism he brought to every part of his work.
