Born in Blackley,[3] Manchester, England,[1] Roberts began his career in the entertainment industry as an actor.
[1] His work as Tony in West Side Story led to a role in the musical Maggie May at the Adelphi Theatre in 1964.
[3] Roberts later appeared in pantomime, starring opposite Ronnie Corbett and Clodagh Rodgers in the 1971 production of Cinderella at the London Palladium.
According to the sleeve notes of his 2001 retrospective CD collection, his recording career continued in Brazil, where he had an affectionate reception and scored many hits.
After returning to England, in 1972, Roberts, Penny Lane and Union Express went to The European Song Festival, in which groups of singers from different countries competed.
In 1991, Roberts attempted alone to represent the UK, with his own composition "One Love", but finished last in the A Song For Europe contest.