[1] Born in Lancaster, Lancashire, on 25 December 1927, the son of a British Army officer, Bob Kellett was educated at Bedford School, where he was captain of boats.

He joined the ITV franchise holder Associated-Rediffusion in 1956 and contributed scripts to the first series of the detective drama Shadow Squad and to Jim's Inn, starring Jimmy Hanley.

In 1966 he wrote and produced the comedy San Ferry Ann, starring Joan Sims, Wilfrid Brambell and Barbara Windsor.

He was chosen by producer Ned Sherrin to direct Frankie Howerd comedies, and he made Up Pompeii and Up the Chastity Belt in 1971, and Up the Front in 1972.

In 1971 he directed Girl Stroke Boy starring Michael Hordern and Joan Greenwood as a couple whose son falls in love with a black transvestite.