An overweight Tecoma cat called Bender has become a social media star in Russia

A chunky Melbourne moggy has purrfectly played his size advantage – with a little help from his owner – to become a social media star in Eastern Europe.

Bender the chonky cat is now the most famous cat in Russia. Picture: Alex Coppel

Meet Bender the Chonky Cat, the Russian celebrity no one purred coming.

The larger-than-life feline lives in a public housing flat in Tecoma with his 70-year-old Russian owner, Nella Cage. But this is no ordinary Melbourne moggy.

Over lockdown, Bender The Chonky has become a social media sensation in the old Eastern Bloc, with more than a million international followers and counting.

Pictures of Bender now adorn billboards outside the Russian city of Tula, with captions of him as an unofficial mascot, encouraging tourists to try the city’s famous gingerbread.

Over in the Ukraine the fat cat has become a cultural icon, with videos urging people to visit the country and “don’t forget to try the borscht”.

Bender is the pride and joy of his Tecoma owner, Nella Cage. Picture: Alex Coppel

But how did a 12-year-old moggy from Melbourne become a bona fide Russian superstar?

One Russian follower commented that Bender resembled a typical close relative “giving undemanded advice on a regular basis”.

His Russian owner is just as baffled, saying she simply liked uploading pictures and videos of the babushka’s prized pusska to TikTok during lockdown.

Living alone, Cage says Bender is her only companion and like many stacked on the kegs during lockdown, now weighing in at 13kg.

“The last two years haven’t helped — he ate more, and I fed him more,” Cage said.

“I loved taking pictures of Bender and he just loves the attention.

“One time Bender meowed and that was it, he went viral. I just want to make people happy and it keeps me busy.”

Cage’s daughter Nikki didn’t believe all the hype until she babysat Bender last month after her mother went to hospital.

Left in charge of Bender’s social media accounts, she was astonished at the big boy’s fame and followers.

Bender didn’t like being away from Nella. He went on a hunger strike and meowed constantly.

“I don’t like to fat-shame him, but he did lose some weight when he was away. He has brought me so much joy,” Cage said.