{{short description|British TV presenter (born 1979)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Rob Bell | honorific_suffix = MSc | image = Rob Bell by the Milau Viaduct in the South of France.jpg | caption = Rob Bell by the [[Millau Viaduct]] in France | birth_date = 1979 | birth_place = [[Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire]], England | alma_mater = [[University of Bath]] | years_active = 2012–present | website = {{URL|https://www.robbell.tv}} }}
'''Rob Bell''' (born 1979) is a British TV presenter and [[Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network|STEMnet]] ambassador.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.iaps.uk/story/engineer-tv-presenter-broadcaster-adventurer-rob-bell-visits-vinehall|title=Engineer, TV Presenter, Broadcaster, Adventurer, Rob Bell Visits Vinehall – IAPS|work=IAPS News |access-date=30 October 2018 |last1=School |first1=Vinehall }}</ref> He has appeared on TV programmes on [[BBC]], [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]], [[Travel Channel]] (now [[DMAX (TV channel)|DMAX]]) and [[Yesterday (TV channel)|Yesterday]].
In 2015, Bell became one of just a few people to complete seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-03-02|title=7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days – the '777' experience|url=https://athleticsweekly.com/featured/7-marathons-7-continents-7-days-rob-bell-777-experience-18262/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=AW|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Early life== Born in Buckinghamshire in 1979, his father's work with General Motors took the family to the United States when Bell was six and on to the outskirts of [[Paris]] when he was nine. His mother was a big influence for what was to become a passion for engineering.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Railways in the Media|url=https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/media/Rob-Bell-Collector-1.pdf|journal=Hornby the Collector|volume=119|pages=39–40}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/adventure/9374271/Travelling-by-man-power-alone|title=Travelling by Man Power Alone – stuff.co.nz p.10 November 2013|date=9 November 2013|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>
Bell achieved a [[Master's degree]] in Mechanical Engineering with French at the [[University of Bath]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.institution-engineering-designers.org.uk/Article/Features/high-fliers-1|title=High Fliers! – Institution of Engineering Designers p.1 September 2018|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> completing his dissertation at University in [[Lyon]], France.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/tv/man-power-inspires-sa-adventure-1605280|title=Man power inspires SA adventure – IOL.co.za p.11 November 2013|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> He had previously worked for French radio station Connexion FM and the [[Energy Saving Trust]] before he started in television.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.biogs.com/rob-bell|title=Who is Rob Bell? - biogs.com|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>
==Career== Bell's first television work was the [[BBC]] series ''Engineering Giants'', which he co-hosted with engineer turned comedian [[Tom Wrigglesworth]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/jul/15/engineering-giants-tv-review|title=TV review: Engineering Giants; Thelma's Gypsy Girls – The Guardian Dowling.T p.15 July 2012|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=15 July 2012|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> In 2013 he presented the [[Travel Channel]] programme ''Rob Bell's Engineering Enigmas'' and its series ''Man Vs World'', where he participated in several adventure sports in different locations around the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-21/man-vs-world-rob-bell-travels-four-nations-via-mountain-board-paraglide-and-white-water-canoe/|title=Man Vs World: Rob Bell travels four nations via mountain board, paraglide and white water canoe – Radio Times Bremner.J p.21 November 2013|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> This was followed up in 2014 by the [[BBC]] programme ''The Science of D-Day'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-27715451|title=The science behind the D-Day landings – BBC News 6 June 2014|work=BBC News|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and another Travel Channel programme ''Secrets and Mysteries London''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-02/underground-london-5-secret-places-to-visit-in-and-around-the-city/|title=Underground London: 5 secret places to visit in and around the city – Radio Times Bremner.J p.2 October 2014|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and the [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] six-part series ''Underground Britain''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/c62fmy/secrets-of-underground-britain-episode-guide/series-1/2/|title=Secrets of Underground Britain|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>
In 2015 Bell presented the [[BBC]] history programme ''Haslar: Secrets of a War Hospital'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11696984/Haslar-The-Secrets-of-a-War-Hospital-BBC-Two-review-gruesome.html|title=Haslar: The Secrets of a War Hospital, BBC Two, review: 'gruesome' – The Telegraph Howse.C p.24 June 2015|date=24 June 2015 |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and then completed seven marathons on seven continents for the [[Travel Channel]] series ''Monster Marathon Challenge''.
In 2016 Bell presented the [[BBC]] documentary ''Tank Men'' to commemorate 100 years since the first use of tanks,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07tbzgx|title=Tank Men – bbc.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/14732976.Tank_Museum_plays_part_in_BBC_documentary_on_first_ever_tank_battle/|title=Tank Museum plays part in BBC documentary on first ever tank battle – Daily Echo Durkin.J p.9 September 2016|date=9 September 2016 |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and narrated the [[BBC]] series ''Sea Cities''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/dy8ngf/sea-cities--s1-e1-plymouth/|title= Series 1 Episode 1 Plymouth – Radio Times|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> He also presented the [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] series ''Britain's Greatest Bridges''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/tyne-bridge-star-national-tv-12189674|title=The Tyne Bridge is the star of a national TV programme: When is it televised? – The Chronicle Morton.D p.17 November 2016|date=17 November 2016|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> He also appeared as a contributor to the [[Yesterday (TV channel)|Yesterday]] series ''Abandoned Engineering'', which was later adapted to the 2017 US series ''Mysteries of the Abandoned'' on the [[Science Channel]].
During 2017 he presented further [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] programmes: ''Inside the Tube – Going Underground'',<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/inside-tube-london-underground|title=Going underground: how London's Central Line was built (and why it's so unreliable) – wired.co.uk|magazine=Wired UK|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> ''Great British Royal Ships'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel5.com/show/great-british-royal-ships/|title=Great British Royal Ships – myfive|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and ''The World's Greatest Bridges''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fyj566/the-worlds-greatest-bridges-episode-guide/|title=The World's Greatest Bridges – Radio Times|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> He co-presented ''The Great Fire'' (with [[Dan Jones (writer)|Dan Jones]] and [[Suzannah Lipscomb]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/great-fire-london-burns-what-you-need-know-about-1666-blaze-1624161|title=The Great Fire: London Burns – What you need to know about the 1666 blaze – International Business Times Binding.L p.31 May 2017|date=31 May 2017|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and ''Brunel:The Man who Built Britain''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/whats-on-tv-today-lnq79svsn|title=What's on TV today Friday December 8: our television, film and radio picks = The Sunday Times p.3 December 2017|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> He also presented the [[BBC]] show ''Invented in The South''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08w1jg3|title=Invented in – BBC.co.uk|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>
In 2018 Bell presented further programmes for [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] with ''The Flying Scotsman'' airing in February,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.scot/news/16047022.Tonight__39_s_TV__Collateral_and_The_Unstoppable_Flying_Scotsman/|title=Tonight's TV: Collateral and The Unstoppable Flying Scotsman – The National p.26 February 2018|date=26 February 2018 |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> ''World's Tallest Skyscrapers'' in June<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gnmq7x/worlds-tallest-skyscrapers-beyond-the-clouds--series-1-episode-1/|title=World's Tallest Skyscrapers – Radio Times|access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref> and ''[[Walking Britain's Lost Railways]]'' in September.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/articles/walking-britain-lost-railways/|title=On the trail of Britain's lost railways – The Telegraph Horsford.S p.21 September 2018|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=21 September 2018|access-date=30 October 2018|last1=Horsford|first1=Simon}}</ref> A second series of ''Walking Britain's Lost Railways'' premiered in 2020.
In 2021, Bell presented the [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] series ''London's Greatest Bridges with Rob Bell''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/londons-greatest-bridges/|title=London's Greatest Bridges with Rob Bell|website=channel5.com|accessdate=28 December 2020}}</ref>
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Television series ! Role ! Notes ! Ref |- | 2012 | ''Engineering Giants'' | Co-presenter | 3 episodes | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01l40c5/episodes/guide|title=Engineering Giants|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | 2013 | ''Rob Bell's Engineering Enigmas'' | Presenter | | |- | rowspan="2" |2014 | ''The Science of D-Day'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p020f962/p020f8sk|title=The Science of D-Day|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Secrets and Mysteries of London'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/c5yh9g/secrets--mysteries/|title=Secrets & Mysteries|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2015 | ''Underground Britain'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/c62fmy/secrets-of-underground-britain-episode-guide/|title=Underground Britain|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Haslar: Secrets of a War Hospital'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b060bf22|title=Haslar: Secrets of a War Hospital|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Monster Marathon Challenge'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/djzwr2/monster-marathon-challenge-with-rob-bell-episode-guide/|title=Monster Marathon Challenge|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2016 | ''Tank Men'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07tbzgx|title=Tank Men|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Sea Cities'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yq7hm|title=Monster Marathon Challenge|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Britain's Greatest Bridges'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fdswqs/britains-greatest-bridges-episode-guide/|title=Britain's Greatest Bridges|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | 2017–present | ''[[Abandoned Engineering]]'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fkq4sh/abandoned-engineering-episode-guide/|title=Abandoned Engineering|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="6" |2017 | ''Mysteries of the Abandoned'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/mysteries-of-the-abandoned/cast/1050454/|title=Mysteries of the Abandoned|website=tvguide.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Inside the Tube – Going Underground'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fmq4hn/inside-the-tube-going-underground-episode-guide/|title=Inside the Tube – Going Underground|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''The World's Greatest Bridges'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fyj566/the-worlds-greatest-bridges-episode-guide/|title=Great British Royal Ships|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''The Great Fire: London Burns'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/fqc9nt/the-great-fire-episode-guide/|title=The Great Fire: London Burns|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Brunel:The Man who Built Britain'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/f2j6z5/brunel-the-man-who-built-britain-episode-guide/|title=Brunel:The Man who Built Britain|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Invented in...'' | Presenter; episode "The South" | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/frfy2r/invented-in/|title=Invented in...|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | 2017–2020 | ''Great British Royal Ships'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gzmm7y/great-british-ships-episode-guide/|title=Great British Royal Ships|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4"| 2018 | ''Sea Cities'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09s7320|title=Sea Cities|website=bbc.co.uk|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''The Flying Scotsman'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/f7h7mp/the-flying-scotsman-episode-guide/|title=The Flying Scotsman|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Numb Skulls'' | Presenter | TV series; episode "Atlantic Crossing" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12470684/|title=Numb Skulls|website=imdb.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''World's Tallest Skyscrapers: Beyond the Clouds'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gnmq7v/worlds-tallest-skyscrapers-beyond-the-clouds-episode-guide/|title=World's Tallest Skyscrapers: Beyond the Clouds|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | 2018 – present | ''[[Walking Britain's Lost Railways]]'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/gzp4ng/walking-britains-lost-railways-episode-guide/|title=Walking Britain's Lost Railways|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="5" |2019 | ''Building the Channel Tunnel: 25 Years On'' | Narrator | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvmaze.com/shows/40686/building-the-channel-tunnel-25-years-on|title=Building the Channel Tunnel: 25 Years On|website=tvmaze.com|date=11 February 2019 |accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''London: 2000 Years of History'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/hrf9tn/london-2000-years-of-history-episode-guide/|title=London: 2000 Years of History|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''The Blitz: Britain On Fire'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/hyvxdp/the-blitz-britain-on-fire-episode-guide/|title=The Blitz: Britain On Fire|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''Secret Nazi Bases'' | Co-presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/jtgg5j/secret-nazi-bases-episode-guide/|title=Secret Nazi Bases|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''When Buildings Collapse: World's Worst Engineering Disasters'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/h4cj2q/when-buildings-collapse-worlds-worst-engineering-disasters/|title=When Buildings Collapse: World's Worst Engineering Disasters|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2020 | ''Britain's Lost Battlefields with Rob Bell'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/kyw9cx/britains-lost-battlefields-with-rob-bell-episode-guide/|title=Britain's Lost Battlefields with Rob Bell|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''On Board Britain's Nuclear Submarine: Trident'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/jkr6p9/on-board-britains-nuclear-submarine-trident/|title=On Board Britain's Nuclear Submarine: Trident|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2021 | ''London's Greatest Bridges with Rob Bell'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/m2qvn9/londons-greatest-bridges-with-rob-bell-episode-guide/|title=London's Greatest Bridges with Rob Bell|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=30 December 2020}}</ref> |- | ''The Buildings That Fought Hitler'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/buildings-fought-hitler-yesterday/|title=The Buildings That Fought Hitler for Yesterday|website=uktv.co.uk|accessdate=19 April 2021}}</ref> |- | 2021 – present | ''Building the Impossible'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://thetvdb.com/series/lighthouses-building-the-impossible|title=Lighthouses: Building the Impossible|website=thetvdb.com|accessdate=28 May 2024}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2021 | ''Britain's Top 10 Ships'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/britains-top-10-ships/|title=Britain's Top 10 Ships|website=channel5.com/show|accessdate=28 October 2021}}</ref> |- | ''The Stonehenge Enigma: What Lies Beneath?'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-fxjxhd/the-stonehenge-enigma-what-lies-beneath/|title=The Stonehenge Enigma: What Lies Beneath?|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=4 December 2021}}</ref> |- | ''When Big Things Go Wrong'' | Contributor | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://plimsollproductions.com/?programme=big-things-go-wrong|title=When Big Things Go Wrong|website=plimsollproductions.com|accessdate=16 December 2021}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''Rob Bell's Engineering Reborn'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel5.com/show/rob-bell-s-engineering-reborn/season-1|title=Rob Bell's Engineering Reborn|website=channel5.com|accessdate=7 February 2026}}</ref> |- | ''British Planes That Won the War with Rob Bell'' | Presenter | TV series | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-ayx55h/british-planes-that-won-the-war-with-rob-bell-season-1/?episode=b-v75c0e|title=British Planes That Won the War with Rob Bell|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=3 June 2022}}</ref> |- | 2023 | ''Britannia: Secrets of the Royal Yacht'' | Presenter | Documentary | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-krudtw/britannia-secrets-of-the-royal-yacht/|title=Britannia: Secrets of the Royal Yacht|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=3 June 2022}}</ref> |- |2024 |Inside Nuclear - Heysham 2 |Presenter |Documentary | |}
== Honours and awards == Rob Bell was awarded an [[Honorary Doctorate]] of Engineering (DEng) by the [[University of Bath]] in January 2025. The award recognised Bell's work in promoting the work of those in the engineering fields: 'a true champion for the engineering field and a great communicator for its benefits'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rob Bell: oration |url=https://www.bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/rob-bell-oration/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=www.bath.ac.uk}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|5425506|Rob Bell}} * https://www.robbell.tv/resume
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Rob}} [[Category:1979 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:BBC television presenters]] [[Category:English television presenters]] [[Category:Alumni of the University of Bath]] [[Category:Entertainers from Aylesbury]] [[Category:21st-century British engineers]]