About Ross

Learn more about what makes Ross tick…if you really want to.

About Ross

I was born in Cullercoats, a small seaside town in the north east of England. (It appears in my books as ‘Culvercot’.)

After university, I moved to London and became a journalist and then, after a few years, a television producer.

I worked on many well-known, and more best-forgotten shows, including ITV’s This Morning with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan; Channel 4’s Big Breakfast and the long-running Pet Rescue.  Among many others, I also did a magic series for Sky, a three-part documentary in Spain for Channel 4, a celebrity chat show with Jimmy Tarbuck, a comedy clip-show, an anarchic late-night discussion programme, Bridezillas and a teenage reality show called Cruel Summer.

(I know: specialism was not really my thing.)

I began writing Time Travelling With A Hamster in 2014.  It was published in January 2016.   My second book, What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible followed a year later.

I live in London, England, with my family, tropical fish and border collie, Jess.  When not writing, I  tour the UK and internationally talking to schools, libraries and festivals.

Cullercoats - the real-life “Culvercot”

Cullercoats – the real-life “Culvercot”

This awesome film by Chris Ainsley shows loads of the real-life locations featured in Ross’s books:

The Magic Circle

As a lifelong magic-nerd, I was thrilled when, in 2019, I was admitted as a member of The Magic Circle.


It is the world’s oldest club for magicians and requires an audition to join.  The Circle meets every Monday in the wonderful headquarters in central London, where there is a theatre and a large library – including a copy of the world’s oldest magic book The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scott from 1584.


One of the tricks I performed at my audition is the “Time Travelling Rope Trick” – featured in nearly all my school and festival shows.


I first became interested in magic at the age of six when I was given a magic set by my Gran for Christmas.  I loved watching magic on TV and when I was a TV producer I made “Max Magic” for Sky TV, starring Max Somerset.


I’m always delighted to be asked to show you a trick!

Twenty things I like

  • Hot curries
  • Beach bars
  • George Formby songs
  • Spain
  • Raucous dinners with friends
  • New York
  • George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue
  • Swedish saunas
  • Mangos
  • My family
  • Magic tricks
  • Playing the piano
  • Skiing
  • Newcastle United winning
  • A proper cup of tea
  • Swan Lake
  • Laurel & Hardy
  • California
  • Dolphins
  • Game Of Thrones

Contact Ross

Email my agent Email Ross

The Monkey Who Fell From The Future

The hilarious, moving and adventure-packed new novel for readers of 9 and up from Ross Welford, the bestselling and Costa-shortlisted author of Time Travelling with a Hamster

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Into the Sideways World

When Willa and Manny stumble upon a seemingly perfect world without pollution or conflict, they try desperately to make people in their own troubled world believe them.

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When We Got Lost in Dreamland

When 11 year-old Malky and his younger brother Seb become the owners of a “Dreaminator”, they are thrust into worlds beyond their wildest imagination. But impossible dreams come with incredible risks...

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The Kid Who Came From Space

A small village in the wilds of Northumberland is rocked by the disappearance of twelve-year-old Tammy. Only her twin brother, Ethan, knows she is safe – and the extraordinary truth of where she is. It is a secret he must keep, or risk never seeing her again.

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The Dog Who Saved The World

My pet dog is called Mr Mash. We named him that because he's a mishmash. A total mongrel. He smells terrible. He'll eat literally anything. He can't see very well. But I love him more than anything. (Sorry dad.) And without him, the world is going to end...

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The 1,000-year-old Boy

There are stories about people who want to live forever. This is a story about someone who wants to stop.

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What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible

Turning invisible at will: it’s one way of curing your acne. But far more drastic than 13 year-old Ethel Leatherhead intended when she tried a combination of untested medicines and a sunbed.

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Time Travelling With A Hamster

My dad died twice. Once when he was thirty nine, and again four years later when he was twelve.

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