Bernard Roberts was born in Manchester, where his mother had been a pupil of Egon Petri, and where his father was on the music staff of "The Manchester Guardian". He won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music, where he later became a piano professor for many years and still retains a visiting professorship.

As well as his solo and recording career, he has always reserved time for chamber music playing. From 1975 until 1984 he was a member of the renowned Parikian, Fleming, Roberts Trio. He has often been heard as a chamber player with ensembles such as the Chilingirian String Quartet, the Wind Soloists of the English Chamber Orchestra, and with the violinists Norbert Brainin and Nona Liddell.

His hobbies include walking, bird-watching, model railways and reading, particularly history and philosophy.