What Is Robbie Cummings Doing Now

Robbie Cummings is one of the most recognisable faces in British waterways television. Fans of slow travel and narrowboat life know him as the host of Canal Boat Diaries. Many viewers now search what is Robbie Cummings doing now, wanting to know if he still lives on his boat and what projects keep him busy.
This article breaks down his current lifestyle, career updates, and personal details in short, easy-to-read sections.
Who Is Robbie Cummings?
Robbie Cummings (often listed officially as Robbie Cumming) is a narrowboater, filmmaker, editor, and musician from Dorset, England.
He moved to London in his early thirties. City rent was too expensive, so he agreed to house-sit a friend’s narrowboat over winter. That single decision changed his entire life path.
He fell in love with canal living. Within two years, he bought his own boat and named it The Naughty Lass. That boat is still his home today.
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Early Career Steps
- Started filming his own boat journeys with basic cameras.
- Uploaded early travel diaries to YouTube.
- Built a small, loyal online audience before television came calling.
- Learned editing and scoring his own footage, skills he still uses today.
Robbie Cummings Personal Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robbie Cumming |
| Common Spelling | Robbie Cummings |
| Profession | Presenter, Filmmaker, Editor, Musician |
| Known For | Canal Boat Diaries |
| Birthplace | Dorset, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Current Residence | Aboard narrowboat, UK canal network |
| Boat Name | The Naughty Lass |
| Living On Boat Since | Around 2013–2015 |
| Main Platforms | BBC Four (former), U&Yesterday, YouTube |
| Social Media | Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Patreon |
| Music Distribution | Distrokid, KWS Publishing |
What Is Robbie Cummings Doing Now?
So, what is Robbie Cummings doing now? He is still living full-time on his narrowboat and still filming his journeys, just on a different channel than before.
Canal Boat Diaries first aired on BBC Four from 2019, running for four series. The BBC axed the show in 2023. Instead of stopping, Robbie moved the series to UKTV, and it now airs on U&Yesterday from Series 5 onward.
Life Aboard the Naughty Lass
His daily routine still centres on the boat.
- Cruising different sections of England and Wales’ canal network.
- Repairing engine and propeller issues along the way.
- Navigating locks, tunnels, and narrow cuttings.
- Filming honest, unscripted moments of everyday boat life.
He has spoken about tough moments too, including cracked ribs, flooded locks, and dramatic weather delays. This honesty is a big part of his appeal.
Canal Boat Diaries: New Episodes and Platform Change

The show’s move to UKTV gave Robbie more creative control. According to reporting from the Milton Keynes Citizen, the shift to a new channel let him produce more of the episodes he personally wanted to make.
Series 6 covered new routes, including stretches through London and the Basingstoke Canal. You can find background on the series’ broadcast history on its Wikipedia page.
Robbie Cummings Lifestyle
Robbie’s lifestyle is built around simplicity, movement, and self-reliance.
A Slow, Simple Way of Living
He does not chase luxury. His routine involves:
- Waking with the boat’s natural rhythm, not a fixed schedule.
- Doing his own boat maintenance and repairs.
- Mooring near villages, pubs, and quiet countryside.
- Cooking simple meals in a small galley kitchen.
This slow-living approach is a major reason fans keep asking what is Robbie Cummings doing now. His lifestyle feels like an escape from typical modern pressure.
Music and Creative Side Projects
Beyond boating, Robbie is also a musician. He composes and releases his own music through Distrokid and KWS Publishing, and tracks are available on Apple Music and Spotify.
He also hosts Robbie Cumming’s Canal Boat Podcast, produced by Urban Podcasts. Episodes go behind the scenes of filming, covering topics like tricky repairs and memorable people met along the canals.
Robbie Cummings on Social Media
Robbie stays active online, though without excessive self-promotion.
- YouTube: Long-form boat journey vlogs and behind-the-scenes clips.
- Instagram: Scenic shots, boat updates, and short reflections.
- Facebook: Community updates and event announcements.
- Patreon: Extra content for supporters of his work.
His approach is honest rather than glamorous. He shows the mud, the delays, and the hard work, not just the pretty views.
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Robbie Cummings Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2012–2013 | Starts house-sitting a friend’s narrowboat |
| ~2015 | Buys his own boat, The Naughty Lass |
| 2019 | Canal Boat Diaries Season 1 airs on BBC Four |
| 2020–2022 | Additional BBC Four series released |
| 2023 | BBC ends the series after four seasons |
| 2024 | Show relaunches on UKTV’s U&Yesterday, Series 5 |
| 2025–2026 | Series 6 airs, podcast and music continue |
Is Robbie Cummings Still Making Canal Boat Diaries?
Yes. The show continues under UKTV rather than the BBC. New episodes still follow his real-time canal journeys, and the format has not changed much — honest storytelling, real repairs, and slow travel across Britain’s waterways.
Organisations like the Canal & River Trust continue to support the wider canal community that Robbie’s show highlights, from heritage preservation to volunteer restoration work.
FAQs About Robbie Cummings
1. What is Robbie Cummings doing now? He still lives on his narrowboat and continues filming Canal Boat Diaries, now on UKTV.
2. Does Robbie Cummings still live on his boat? Yes, The Naughty Lass remains his full-time home.
3. Why did Canal Boat Diaries leave the BBC? The BBC ended the series in 2023. UKTV picked it up shortly after.
4. Is Robbie Cummings married? He keeps his personal relationship status private.
5. Does Robbie Cummings make music? Yes, he composes and releases his own music through Distrokid and KWS Publishing.
6. Where can I watch new episodes? New episodes air on U&Yesterday and are also available through the free U app.
Final Thoughts
To sum up what is Robbie Cummings doing now, he remains true to the lifestyle that made him popular. He still cruises the canals, still films every step of the journey, and still shares his music and podcast with fans.
While many television personalities move toward bigger studios and scripted formats, Robbie has stayed close to his original story: a small boat, an honest camera, and a slower way of living.
