Kate Robbins: Singer, Actress & Paul McCartney’s Cousin

If you’ve ever wondered about the face behind the voice in a beloved cartoon or the actress who makes a British TV drama feel especially real, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Kate Robbins. A singer who scored a top-ten hit in the 1980s and a character actor who has appeared in prestige series like Afterlife and Unforgotten, Robbins has built a career that spans music, comedy, and television.

Full Name: Kate Elizabeth Robbins ·
Born: 21 August 1958, Margate, Kent, England ·
Professions: Actress, comedian, singer, songwriter, director ·
Known For UK Chart Success: No. 2 single ‘More Than in Love’ (1983) ·
Notable TV Roles: Afterlife, Unforgotten, The Couple Next Door ·
Famous Relative: Cousin of Sir Paul McCartney

Nine facts, one pattern: Kate Robbins’ life weaves together chart music, satirical television, and a family tree that connects directly to one of the most famous musicians in the world.

The facts below outline her career and family details at a glance.

How is Paul McCartney related to Kate Robbins?

The family connection

• Kate Robbins is the first cousin once removed of Sir Paul McCartney (Wikipedia).
• Her mother, Elizabeth “Bett” Robbins (née Danher), was McCartney’s cousin (Wikipedia).
• That makes Robbins’ daughter, Emily Atack, McCartney’s first cousin twice removed (Mirror).

The family tie is often highlighted in British media, but according to Express, it connects through Robbins’ mother’s side. Several sources note that the relationship is a talking point rather than a working relationship — Robbins has not publicly collaborated with McCartney on music.

What is Kate Robbins most famous for?

1980s music career: the hit ‘More Than in Love’

• Robbins’ single “More Than in Love” reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983 (Wikipedia).
• Before that, she represented the UK at the 1980 Eurovision Song Contest as part of the group Prima Donna, finishing third with “Love Enough for Two” (Wikipedia).
• Her first released recording was “Tomorrow” in 1978 (Wikipedia).

Acting career: Afterlife, Unforgotten, The Couple Next Door

• Robbins played key roles in the ITV drama Afterlife and the crime series Unforgotten (TV Insider).
• She appeared in the Channel 4 thriller The Couple Next Door (2023) (TV Insider).
• She was a core voice actor on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image from 1986 to 1996 (Wikipedia).

Who is Kate Robbins’ famous daughter?

Emily Atack: breakthrough in The Inbetweeners

• Emily Atack is Kate Robbins’ eldest daughter (TV Insider).
• Atack became famous for her role as Charlotte “Big” Hinchcliffe in the British comedy series The Inbetweeners (TV Insider).
• She has also appeared in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and the comedy series Ladhood (The Sun).

Other members of the Robbins-Atack acting family

• Kate’s sister Amy Robbins is an actress (Wikipedia).
• Her brother Ted Robbins is a comedian, actor, and broadcaster (BBC).
• Kate Robbins reportedly has two other children, Martha and George (The Sun).

Is Kate Robbins still married?

Marriage to Keith Atack

• Kate Robbins married musician Keith Atack in the late 1980s (The Sun).
• The couple reportedly divorced in 2007 after 19 years of marriage (The Sun).

Current relationship status

• Robbins has not publicly confirmed a new partner, and her current marital status is not widely reported (The Sun).

The divorce is the only firm detail available in mainstream media. Since then, Robbins has kept her personal life private, focusing instead on her television roles and family.

“It’s a wonderful connection, but I’ve made my own path.”

— Kate Robbins, speaking about her family link to Paul McCartney (Express)

“She’s the most talented person I know – she can sing, act, make you laugh, and she’s the best mum.”

— Emily Atack on her mother Kate Robbins (The Sun)

Kate Robbins may always be introduced as “Paul McCartney’s cousin” in headlines, but her own career — from a chart‑topping pop single to a string of respected TV roles — proves she is far more than a footnote in a famous family tree. For anyone following British entertainment, Robbins has quietly built a legacy that stands on its own.