A vicar dubbed the Rockin’ Reverend is returning to Bradford after a seven-year absence.

The Reverend Canon Robin Gamble has been appointed priest-in-charge of Holy Trinity, Idle, and part-time evangelist to the Bradford Diocese.

Mr Gamble grew up in West Bowling and found his way into the Church of England after he was expelled from secondary school and proceeded to make a name for himself with his zany approach to preaching.

“I can’t handle the dull, repetitive, religious way that we sometimes do everything in church,” he said.

Instead he prefers to use cartoon characters, such as Bart Simpson, and the music of Queen to spread the Christian message.

Before he left Bradford for Manchester, where he is Canon Evangelist in the Diocese of Manchester, he spent 13 years as vicar of St Augustine’s Church and was a Diocesan Adviser in Evangelism for eight years.

He is remembered for establishing the world’s first Christian pub, The Cock and Bottle, in Barkerend Road. He also led a rock mass at Bradford Cathedral and an impromptu candle-lit service to club-goers outside Virgin Megastore in Bradford city centre.

A Bradford City supporter, he was involved in a special terrace-style service at St Paul’s Church in Manningham to mark 100 years of professional football in Bradford in 2003 and was rewarded for his hard work with the national Cuthbert Bardsley Award, given to one clergyman a year in memory of the pioneering former Bishop of Coventry.

Mr Gamble said he was glad to be coming back to Bradford with his wife Maureen and their two children, Zoe and Phil.

“I’ve had a fantastic time in Manchester, but as a family, we’ve missed Bradford constantly and always knew we would come back,” he said.

“Bradford people are very warm, open and interested in having conversations about Jesus, and I can’t wait to pick up those conversations again – and it’ll be great to have fish and chips again – I’d given them up as Bradford has the best fish and chips in the world.

“I’m really looking forward to being the vicar of Idle and I’ve no intention of being an idle vicar!”

The Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend David James, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Robin back to Bradford. Many people on both sides of the Pennines have come to know God’s love for them through his ministry.

“His additional post as Diocesan Evangelist will mean he’ll be sharing his remarkable gifts and unique ministry across Bradford and beyond.”

Mr Gamble’s licensing will take place on Wednesday, November 26, at Holy Trinity, Idle, at 7.30pm.

e-mail: ben.barnett @telegraphandargus.co.uk