It's become a cliché in Britain to call somebody in the entertainment field a national institution -- but that's exactly what Dawn French is. As both comedienne and actress (the latter in both comedy and straight parts), she has become one of the best loved entertainers in the country. Her range is not wide (unlike her dimensions -- and that's the sort of joke she'd crack), but she is utterly winning in everything he does. And that quality continues in Dear Fatty, a truly entertaining memoir of an event-packed life.

The form of the book is a series of letters by French, conjuring her transformation from a West Country RAF girl to a star of the cult alternative comedy group The Comic Strip. This was followed by the groundbreaking all-female Girls on Top (which did much to establish the position of women in British comedy), the astonishing success of the TV series French and Saunders (with French's equally talented friend Jennifer Saunders) and the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, where French's wickedly sardonic touch keeps the tweeness of the basic situation -- female vicar in a rustic town -- at bay.

For French, early dreams of becoming a ballerina or an air hostess came to nothing, but the loss to the worlds of dance and aviation was a gain for TV audiences. All of that, of course, is covered in this frequently hilarious and often moving collection. We are invited into her most personal relationships with (among others) her mother and father, her husband (fellow comedian Lenny Henry), and, of course, her most important comedic ally, Jennifer Saunders. Everything French describes -- from the agonies of being a teenager to the death of her father -- and (of course) the way in which society defines her by her generous size -- is treated with a highly diverting insight. Fans of Dawn French's TV appearances will lap it up, but Dear Fatty has a lot more to offer, even to those only vaguely familiar with her. But is anyone in Britain only vaguely familiar with Dawn French? --Barry Forshaw

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......

Paul O'Grady, apart from being one of Britain's best loved entertainers, is a classic example of reinvention, as At My Mother’s Knee demonstrates. The young Liverpool entertainer, an altar boy from Irish Catholic Birkenhead, becomes the acid-tongued and outrageous drag queen Lily Savage, and moves from gay pubs to national television, creating something of a British comic institution en route (O'Grady's caustic drag character was a world away from safer predecessors such as Danny La Rue). But O'Grady (like other comic performers such as John Cleese) realised that comic creations can have a limited shelf life, and reinvented himself as ‘Paul O'Grady’, coming out from behind the false breasts and towering wigs as a toned-down (but still camp), more audience-friendly TV presenter (wisely, he retained the abrasive voice and a Scouse accent that could be cut with a knife).

At My Mother's Knee and Other Low Joints is an entertaining autobiography from someone who really does have a life that is worth writing about. Gossipy, sharp and colourful, the cast of characters in Paul O'Grady's life includes rogues and rascals galore, all of whom are evoked here with great comic skill. O'Grady was variously a boxer, a civil servant, a conman and even a cat burglar - all of these failed careers are on display here, as is a surprisingly pungent picture of the Liverpool nightclub scene. When so many showbiz autobiographies these days are written by people who have a barely had a life outside of their fame, it's refreshing to encounter one by somebody whose story would be interesting even if he were not a major TV star. --Barry Forshaw

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......




Brilliant and hilarious, 01 Dec 2008
What can I say?...brilliant!. I havent laughed so hard for years and really couldnt put this book down, in fact I finished it 12 hours after I began reading.In many ways I could relate to Pauls early years .I was , however, rather upset to find out that the book only goes up to his 18th year!. Come on Paul, we want more!!!!.

Excellent!, 22 Nov 2008
This was a fantastic read and one I managed to complete very quickly. I loved the early years of Paul's life in which he describes his mother and aunts. It reminded me so much of my long missed grandmother and the things that those women of a post war era got up to.
Absolutely loved the way the book was set out, it was coherent unlike some autobiographies and gave a great insight into Paul's life that is honest and forthright. The later years were interesting and again very honest. This man has certainly lead a very interesting life (and the book ends when he is eighteen)and I can't wait to read the next installment and find out how LIly Savage came to be and what other (mis)adventures Paul got up to in the proceeding years.
Highly recommended.

Paul O'Grady at his mothers knee., 11 Nov 2008
Have just finished reading this,what a fantastic read!! Very funny don't read this last thing at night as you won't be able to sleep for laughing! Buy it you won't regret it!

Wonderful book, 02 Nov 2008
Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

Tears and laughter, 22 Oct 2008
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......




Brilliant and hilarious, 01 Dec 2008
What can I say?...brilliant!. I havent laughed so hard for years and really couldnt put this book down, in fact I finished it 12 hours after I began reading.In many ways I could relate to Pauls early years .I was , however, rather upset to find out that the book only goes up to his 18th year!. Come on Paul, we want more!!!!.

Excellent!, 22 Nov 2008
This was a fantastic read and one I managed to complete very quickly. I loved the early years of Paul's life in which he describes his mother and aunts. It reminded me so much of my long missed grandmother and the things that those women of a post war era got up to.
Absolutely loved the way the book was set out, it was coherent unlike some autobiographies and gave a great insight into Paul's life that is honest and forthright. The later years were interesting and again very honest. This man has certainly lead a very interesting life (and the book ends when he is eighteen)and I can't wait to read the next installment and find out how LIly Savage came to be and what other (mis)adventures Paul got up to in the proceeding years.
Highly recommended.

Paul O'Grady at his mothers knee., 11 Nov 2008
Have just finished reading this,what a fantastic read!! Very funny don't read this last thing at night as you won't be able to sleep for laughing! Buy it you won't regret it!

Wonderful book, 02 Nov 2008
Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

Tears and laughter, 22 Oct 2008
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.

Brilliant!!!!!, 12 Nov 2008
This book is fantastic, alan carr is hillarious!!! Love him hes one of the best comedians out. His book had me laughing constantly, read it in a weekend because I just didnt want to put the book down it was so funny. There are no sob stories just pure comedy, loved it! Would recommend it to anyone.

Wonderful book, 05 Nov 2008
From the front cover flap:

Hello and welcome to my life.

Oh, and what a life! From the grimness of doing data entry for Mr Dog to the dizzy heights of `The Friday Night Project' and performing for Her Majesty at the Royal Variety Performance. My life's been like a long flume, up and down with a couple of damp patches in the middle.

Take my hand, I want to lead you through my life. Within these pages you will come face to face with my parents, my dog Minstrel, my friends and a whole load of waifs and strays that have helped to make my journey that little bit more memorable. When you read Look Who It Is! I'm sure you'll agree - it's just been one thing after another.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It follows Alan's life up until he accepts the offer to host The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Colins. It is easy to read, interesting and engaging. He was very honest and I feel I know him now, and would like to meet him. It was very enlightening, I had thought Alan had been on the comedy scene for longer than he has. In fact, it was around 2005 he began to get famous.

Alan does not just talk about comedy though. He speaks of his family, including his famous, football manager Dad, Graham Carr and all his life experiences to date, which include university, travelling around the world and horrid temp jobs such as working in a call centre. There were several things in this book I could relate too, which made it even more enjoyable.

The book was not as funny as I was expecting it to be, however it did have me laughing and chuckling in places so I don't feel particularly let down.

This is a great book; an honest story where Alan says it like it is, and doesn't go for the sympathy vote. It is a bit cheeky that he has left the door open for a sequel in a few years, but hey, good for him.

An enjoyable book.

9/10


All hail Alan Carr.., 04 Nov 2008
This book is amazing, it's one of the funniest books I have ever read. It took me quite a long time to read this book.. not because it was boring, because it was so funny I had to put it down after every couple of pages to recompose myself.

I challenge anyone to read this book without laughing outloud!

Alan we love you!


A must - read, 01 Nov 2008
I first saw Alan Carr on "8 Out Of 10 Cats" and he instantly made an impression on me. I think the reason people have taken him to heart is he doesnt take himself or anything seriously with is brand of self mockery and honesty accounts of a so far interesting life.
Lots of other people and written how you can't help but laugh out loud and its true i had to put the book down for abour five minutes purely because i couldnt go on as i was laughing too much.
Highlights include him dressing in a giant pig costume and nearly killing the family dog, wearing his moms knee high boots to get an ice cream and an account of Shirley Bassey and a stage handler behind the scenes of the Royal Variety Performance.
If you love Alan Carr or are just looking for an uplifting and touching book buy this - you wont be dissapointed.

Honesty is the word, 31 Oct 2008
As soon as l saw this book l wanted it, l was not going to browse past past. So l bought it,
and it arrived the next day.
I dropped what l was reading (which is unusual for me), and got started.
It comes through from an early age Alan is very happy with himself, it's
others around him, who don't see it the same way.
Don't think this is a constant laugh out loud book, there are some very
funny incidents, but Alan talks very VERY frankly about being Alan Carr.
How he appeared 1st time on stage, and vowed never to return.
Alan doesn't moan at life he gets on with it. He makes it very clear that
money was so very tight, and even I thought that appearing at the
Edinburgh Festival you made money from it, and he lost.
He isn't ashamed of the jobs he did, and "The Phantom" at one job.
He talks of his highs and lows of being on stage. But he doesn't hit the big time straight away.
The book isn't full of antidote's its about his life, and how easy it was to eventually go on stage. I can
understand how sensitive he is about audiences, especially the christian one!!!
Alan comes over a very humble person, he is not one boast about all the people whom he has met,
he is overwhelmed when Robbie Williams comes to talk to him, same with Charlotte Church.
If you didn't know Alan Carr at the start of this book, you will hopefully
love him at the end.
The book ends as of where he is now, it leaves no strings dangling.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......




Brilliant and hilarious, 01 Dec 2008
What can I say?...brilliant!. I havent laughed so hard for years and really couldnt put this book down, in fact I finished it 12 hours after I began reading.In many ways I could relate to Pauls early years .I was , however, rather upset to find out that the book only goes up to his 18th year!. Come on Paul, we want more!!!!.

Excellent!, 22 Nov 2008
This was a fantastic read and one I managed to complete very quickly. I loved the early years of Paul's life in which he describes his mother and aunts. It reminded me so much of my long missed grandmother and the things that those women of a post war era got up to.
Absolutely loved the way the book was set out, it was coherent unlike some autobiographies and gave a great insight into Paul's life that is honest and forthright. The later years were interesting and again very honest. This man has certainly lead a very interesting life (and the book ends when he is eighteen)and I can't wait to read the next installment and find out how LIly Savage came to be and what other (mis)adventures Paul got up to in the proceeding years.
Highly recommended.

Paul O'Grady at his mothers knee., 11 Nov 2008
Have just finished reading this,what a fantastic read!! Very funny don't read this last thing at night as you won't be able to sleep for laughing! Buy it you won't regret it!

Wonderful book, 02 Nov 2008
Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

Tears and laughter, 22 Oct 2008
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.

Brilliant!!!!!, 12 Nov 2008
This book is fantastic, alan carr is hillarious!!! Love him hes one of the best comedians out. His book had me laughing constantly, read it in a weekend because I just didnt want to put the book down it was so funny. There are no sob stories just pure comedy, loved it! Would recommend it to anyone.

Wonderful book, 05 Nov 2008
From the front cover flap:

Hello and welcome to my life.

Oh, and what a life! From the grimness of doing data entry for Mr Dog to the dizzy heights of `The Friday Night Project' and performing for Her Majesty at the Royal Variety Performance. My life's been like a long flume, up and down with a couple of damp patches in the middle.

Take my hand, I want to lead you through my life. Within these pages you will come face to face with my parents, my dog Minstrel, my friends and a whole load of waifs and strays that have helped to make my journey that little bit more memorable. When you read Look Who It Is! I'm sure you'll agree - it's just been one thing after another.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It follows Alan's life up until he accepts the offer to host The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Colins. It is easy to read, interesting and engaging. He was very honest and I feel I know him now, and would like to meet him. It was very enlightening, I had thought Alan had been on the comedy scene for longer than he has. In fact, it was around 2005 he began to get famous.

Alan does not just talk about comedy though. He speaks of his family, including his famous, football manager Dad, Graham Carr and all his life experiences to date, which include university, travelling around the world and horrid temp jobs such as working in a call centre. There were several things in this book I could relate too, which made it even more enjoyable.

The book was not as funny as I was expecting it to be, however it did have me laughing and chuckling in places so I don't feel particularly let down.

This is a great book; an honest story where Alan says it like it is, and doesn't go for the sympathy vote. It is a bit cheeky that he has left the door open for a sequel in a few years, but hey, good for him.

An enjoyable book.

9/10


All hail Alan Carr.., 04 Nov 2008
This book is amazing, it's one of the funniest books I have ever read. It took me quite a long time to read this book.. not because it was boring, because it was so funny I had to put it down after every couple of pages to recompose myself.

I challenge anyone to read this book without laughing outloud!

Alan we love you!


A must - read, 01 Nov 2008
I first saw Alan Carr on "8 Out Of 10 Cats" and he instantly made an impression on me. I think the reason people have taken him to heart is he doesnt take himself or anything seriously with is brand of self mockery and honesty accounts of a so far interesting life.
Lots of other people and written how you can't help but laugh out loud and its true i had to put the book down for abour five minutes purely because i couldnt go on as i was laughing too much.
Highlights include him dressing in a giant pig costume and nearly killing the family dog, wearing his moms knee high boots to get an ice cream and an account of Shirley Bassey and a stage handler behind the scenes of the Royal Variety Performance.
If you love Alan Carr or are just looking for an uplifting and touching book buy this - you wont be dissapointed.

Honesty is the word, 31 Oct 2008
As soon as l saw this book l wanted it, l was not going to browse past past. So l bought it,
and it arrived the next day.
I dropped what l was reading (which is unusual for me), and got started.
It comes through from an early age Alan is very happy with himself, it's
others around him, who don't see it the same way.
Don't think this is a constant laugh out loud book, there are some very
funny incidents, but Alan talks very VERY frankly about being Alan Carr.
How he appeared 1st time on stage, and vowed never to return.
Alan doesn't moan at life he gets on with it. He makes it very clear that
money was so very tight, and even I thought that appearing at the
Edinburgh Festival you made money from it, and he lost.
He isn't ashamed of the jobs he did, and "The Phantom" at one job.
He talks of his highs and lows of being on stage. But he doesn't hit the big time straight away.
The book isn't full of antidote's its about his life, and how easy it was to eventually go on stage. I can
understand how sensitive he is about audiences, especially the christian one!!!
Alan comes over a very humble person, he is not one boast about all the people whom he has met,
he is overwhelmed when Robbie Williams comes to talk to him, same with Charlotte Church.
If you didn't know Alan Carr at the start of this book, you will hopefully
love him at the end.
The book ends as of where he is now, it leaves no strings dangling.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Heartwarming and inspirational, 15 Nov 2008
I have been a fan of Fern's for years. I admit I was disappointed when it all came out about her gastric band and I bought the book fearing that it would be a whitewash. It isn't. Fern has not had it easy. The proof that she really is the nice person I always thought she was is that she doesn't point fingers or spill blood and guts in the way that has become commonplace in celebrity biographies which, in my view, is all to her credit. Yet reading between the lines, her father being totally absent, her stepfather being less than easy... I have a much clearer understanding of how she manages to emphathise with people who go on This Morning. Her descriptions of depression so closely mirrored my own that it was a great comfort to me. People always say "Oh you can't be a depressive, you're always laughing and joking and seem so happy" Yes, I am by nature happy, but when depression descends on me it is as if I have fallen off the platform that everyone else stands on and from which one can operate normally. In a horrible way it is comforting to know that someone known for being so smiley, can have felt the same.

I was lucky enough to be able to conceive my children normally and this is the first time I have really understood the pressures that face women in Fern's situation. It's not something you can ask anyone about. Thanks to her book, I can now appreciate just how painful it must be and the joy Fern experienced, and the difficult decision to leave the twins' father had me in tears. I thoroughly recommend this book. It told me so much, not only about Fern's past but also about her current life, busy and happy. Well done Fern.

A really good read!, 12 Nov 2008
Not normally a reader of "celeb" autobiographies which for the most part are turgid and badly written, I approached this with some trepidation. In fact, it is very well written, giving a real insight into Fern Britton's life and work. It is a very good example of how a public persona can be hiding a much deeper self. She inter-cuts the more distant past with her current life, a device which sounds as if it would be enfuriating but this works extraordinarily well, the narrative flowing smoothly along. All in all, this a really good and entertaining read which can be heartily recommended as a Christmas present!

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......




Brilliant and hilarious, 01 Dec 2008
What can I say?...brilliant!. I havent laughed so hard for years and really couldnt put this book down, in fact I finished it 12 hours after I began reading.In many ways I could relate to Pauls early years .I was , however, rather upset to find out that the book only goes up to his 18th year!. Come on Paul, we want more!!!!.

Excellent!, 22 Nov 2008
This was a fantastic read and one I managed to complete very quickly. I loved the early years of Paul's life in which he describes his mother and aunts. It reminded me so much of my long missed grandmother and the things that those women of a post war era got up to.
Absolutely loved the way the book was set out, it was coherent unlike some autobiographies and gave a great insight into Paul's life that is honest and forthright. The later years were interesting and again very honest. This man has certainly lead a very interesting life (and the book ends when he is eighteen)and I can't wait to read the next installment and find out how LIly Savage came to be and what other (mis)adventures Paul got up to in the proceeding years.
Highly recommended.

Paul O'Grady at his mothers knee., 11 Nov 2008
Have just finished reading this,what a fantastic read!! Very funny don't read this last thing at night as you won't be able to sleep for laughing! Buy it you won't regret it!

Wonderful book, 02 Nov 2008
Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

Tears and laughter, 22 Oct 2008
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.

Brilliant!!!!!, 12 Nov 2008
This book is fantastic, alan carr is hillarious!!! Love him hes one of the best comedians out. His book had me laughing constantly, read it in a weekend because I just didnt want to put the book down it was so funny. There are no sob stories just pure comedy, loved it! Would recommend it to anyone.

Wonderful book, 05 Nov 2008
From the front cover flap:

Hello and welcome to my life.

Oh, and what a life! From the grimness of doing data entry for Mr Dog to the dizzy heights of `The Friday Night Project' and performing for Her Majesty at the Royal Variety Performance. My life's been like a long flume, up and down with a couple of damp patches in the middle.

Take my hand, I want to lead you through my life. Within these pages you will come face to face with my parents, my dog Minstrel, my friends and a whole load of waifs and strays that have helped to make my journey that little bit more memorable. When you read Look Who It Is! I'm sure you'll agree - it's just been one thing after another.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It follows Alan's life up until he accepts the offer to host The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Colins. It is easy to read, interesting and engaging. He was very honest and I feel I know him now, and would like to meet him. It was very enlightening, I had thought Alan had been on the comedy scene for longer than he has. In fact, it was around 2005 he began to get famous.

Alan does not just talk about comedy though. He speaks of his family, including his famous, football manager Dad, Graham Carr and all his life experiences to date, which include university, travelling around the world and horrid temp jobs such as working in a call centre. There were several things in this book I could relate too, which made it even more enjoyable.

The book was not as funny as I was expecting it to be, however it did have me laughing and chuckling in places so I don't feel particularly let down.

This is a great book; an honest story where Alan says it like it is, and doesn't go for the sympathy vote. It is a bit cheeky that he has left the door open for a sequel in a few years, but hey, good for him.

An enjoyable book.

9/10


All hail Alan Carr.., 04 Nov 2008
This book is amazing, it's one of the funniest books I have ever read. It took me quite a long time to read this book.. not because it was boring, because it was so funny I had to put it down after every couple of pages to recompose myself.

I challenge anyone to read this book without laughing outloud!

Alan we love you!


A must - read, 01 Nov 2008
I first saw Alan Carr on "8 Out Of 10 Cats" and he instantly made an impression on me. I think the reason people have taken him to heart is he doesnt take himself or anything seriously with is brand of self mockery and honesty accounts of a so far interesting life.
Lots of other people and written how you can't help but laugh out loud and its true i had to put the book down for abour five minutes purely because i couldnt go on as i was laughing too much.
Highlights include him dressing in a giant pig costume and nearly killing the family dog, wearing his moms knee high boots to get an ice cream and an account of Shirley Bassey and a stage handler behind the scenes of the Royal Variety Performance.
If you love Alan Carr or are just looking for an uplifting and touching book buy this - you wont be dissapointed.

Honesty is the word, 31 Oct 2008
As soon as l saw this book l wanted it, l was not going to browse past past. So l bought it,
and it arrived the next day.
I dropped what l was reading (which is unusual for me), and got started.
It comes through from an early age Alan is very happy with himself, it's
others around him, who don't see it the same way.
Don't think this is a constant laugh out loud book, there are some very
funny incidents, but Alan talks very VERY frankly about being Alan Carr.
How he appeared 1st time on stage, and vowed never to return.
Alan doesn't moan at life he gets on with it. He makes it very clear that
money was so very tight, and even I thought that appearing at the
Edinburgh Festival you made money from it, and he lost.
He isn't ashamed of the jobs he did, and "The Phantom" at one job.
He talks of his highs and lows of being on stage. But he doesn't hit the big time straight away.
The book isn't full of antidote's its about his life, and how easy it was to eventually go on stage. I can
understand how sensitive he is about audiences, especially the christian one!!!
Alan comes over a very humble person, he is not one boast about all the people whom he has met,
he is overwhelmed when Robbie Williams comes to talk to him, same with Charlotte Church.
If you didn't know Alan Carr at the start of this book, you will hopefully
love him at the end.
The book ends as of where he is now, it leaves no strings dangling.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Heartwarming and inspirational, 15 Nov 2008
I have been a fan of Fern's for years. I admit I was disappointed when it all came out about her gastric band and I bought the book fearing that it would be a whitewash. It isn't. Fern has not had it easy. The proof that she really is the nice person I always thought she was is that she doesn't point fingers or spill blood and guts in the way that has become commonplace in celebrity biographies which, in my view, is all to her credit. Yet reading between the lines, her father being totally absent, her stepfather being less than easy... I have a much clearer understanding of how she manages to emphathise with people who go on This Morning. Her descriptions of depression so closely mirrored my own that it was a great comfort to me. People always say "Oh you can't be a depressive, you're always laughing and joking and seem so happy" Yes, I am by nature happy, but when depression descends on me it is as if I have fallen off the platform that everyone else stands on and from which one can operate normally. In a horrible way it is comforting to know that someone known for being so smiley, can have felt the same.

I was lucky enough to be able to conceive my children normally and this is the first time I have really understood the pressures that face women in Fern's situation. It's not something you can ask anyone about. Thanks to her book, I can now appreciate just how painful it must be and the joy Fern experienced, and the difficult decision to leave the twins' father had me in tears. I thoroughly recommend this book. It told me so much, not only about Fern's past but also about her current life, busy and happy. Well done Fern.

A really good read!, 12 Nov 2008
Not normally a reader of "celeb" autobiographies which for the most part are turgid and badly written, I approached this with some trepidation. In fact, it is very well written, giving a real insight into Fern Britton's life and work. It is a very good example of how a public persona can be hiding a much deeper self. She inter-cuts the more distant past with her current life, a device which sounds as if it would be enfuriating but this works extraordinarily well, the narrative flowing smoothly along. All in all, this a really good and entertaining read which can be heartily recommended as a Christmas present!

Not a word said!, 24 Oct 2008
Travelled almost 400 miles to see Sir Roger and get the book signed at Waterstones in Castle Street, Norwich, then queued for around 2 hours where we were given raffle tickets to get in. The first 200 were guaranteed, and only 300 would be done. After being handed a set of ''rules" namely no pictures, no dedications, no talking, virtually no nothing we were regimented through the store and got all of what, 15 seconds whilst Sir Roger quickly scribbled and then onto the next without so much as looking up at us and roughly treated by the staff at Waterstones, Norwich. Pretty disappointing really as I had seen George Lazenby and he spent time chatting with you. The book is a good read, easy to get through - I'd read through the chapters on the Saint and the Persuaders in the queue whilst waiting - and Sir Roger seems a likeable man, which leads me to wonder who decided to treat us all like this at the shop. I haven't felt this bad since I was voted off BBC2's Weakest Link. Thanks anyway Sir Roger, it passed a whole day.


The name is Moore, Roger Moore, 23 Oct 2008
Roger Moore's first autobiography, published just past his 80th birthday so it does reflect a long and varied actor's life.
The Saint, The Persuaders and of course James Bond will be the obvious associations, but Moore has more of an acting pedigree then I realised. An acting career that started off before the war and then gradually built up, mainly establishing himself in the US rather then the UK. He comes over with a dry wit and as an affable person, certainly not fond of himself and happy to accept his limitations and to appreciate he has been very lucky.
It is surprising how many of the famous generation of actors he knew although he chooses not to dish dirt and his anecdotes are fairly genial.
He spends more time on the individual Bond films then most of his other work as an actor and then finishes up with his work with UNICEF. His passion for UNICEF shines through, but although this is a very worthy cause, it is perhaps the least interesting aspect of the book.
So an easy read but not enough in it to raise it above the mildly entertaining.


His Rogesty, 22 Oct 2008
This is one of the finest autobiographies that I have ever read.

Sir Roger claims not to spill all the beans on his life and co-stars for fear of upsetting the ones that are still alive. This isn't quite true.

He may may leave out some of the more salacious details, but this helps for a real good time feel to the book. Ther are MANY tales told here, but all in good taste!

Roger Moore is an actor of such experience that his stories are nothing short of hilarious, touching, sad and scandalous (in a gentlemanly way).

Often all at once.

Roger Moore has unfairly been the subject of many jibes about his ability, many started by the man himself.

This is the story of a truly talented, charasmatic, naturally funny, humanitarian.

It's so nice not to be preached to. He loves what he does, he loves his success and that shines through. Really refreshing.

Read this without being touched or laughing out loud and there's something wroung.

10/10

Shaken not stirred!, 21 Oct 2008
What a charming and fascinating book. I really enjoyed reading about Sir Roger's early childhood and escapades and then his break into Hollywood. This man has known and acted with all the true greats of film and screen. At no point does he take himself too seriously and the constant references to his hypochondria were very amusing! I had no idea of his long commitment to UNICEF and this book portrays him as a very caring man as well as the a Hollywood legend we all love. I've now leant this book to my mum and my dad is next in line to read it- it's a perfect Xmas gift and takes you back to the glory days of Hollywood and a time before the arrival of ghastly reality TV. Truly my favourite Bond ever!

Charming................., 21 Oct 2008
My sister is a major Roger Moore fan so I bought this for her as an early Christmas present - I have to say I had a sneaky peak and once I started reading I could not put it down - loved it - what a charming read it was. A great tone and it was just so funny. This is a proper autobiography by someone who has lead a life and a half. I love old fashioned Hollywood stories and there are plenty in here to keep me happy.
Will have to buy a new copy for my sister as this one is staying firmly on my bookcase!

What a fantastic book to read, 29 Nov 2008
When i first saw the title of her book i was wondering what this book was going to be about. But how wrong i was, the book was honest and to the point. Her revelations about her past really touched me and brought a few tears to my eyes. You clearly see how important her family are to her. Highly recommended!!!

I love this book, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn French is familiar to many people. She is well known for her comedy and for being half of French and Saunders, and as the wonderful Vicar of Dibley.

I personally love reading autobiography, coz I could learn a lot from their life experience. Dear Fatty is mostly about her early days in the Comic Strip, the films she took part in, as well as her recent roles. It is written as a series of letters, to diffrent people, and a large proportion of these are written to her father, who has much affect on her.
It is emotional.

All in all, I recommend this book to everybody, especially who are the fans of Dawn French.

Amazing person we love you, 25 Nov 2008
Dawn, anything you write we will love, because you are just an amazing person But this book is a must read for everyone!


Jennyxx

Fat...yes...but funny too!, 24 Nov 2008
I love books that are honest and get to the point. This, most readable of books, manages to do just that. Written in an amusing, yet clever style, the reader is left both entertained and enlightened by a book written by a 'celebrity' - but one that still has the common touch. I certainly cannot imagine the likes of Paris Hilton or Wayne Rooney producing a book so full of vivid prose and amusing stories. If you like books that are honest and funny I also recommend the book: One Love Two Colours: The unlikely marriage of a Punk Rocker & his African Queen, by Margaret Oshindele-Smith - a book (from a complete non-celebrity) that merges humour and wit via the true story of a Nigerian woman's experience of living in England.

Bit Disappointed, 23 Nov 2008
I am an avid reader I love autobiographies and although some of it was interesting, I was disappointed in some of it, and she writes letters to family members rather than a flowing biography. Only one letter to her husband who famously cheated on her, but theres no real relation to that, she must be so forgiving and reading it she is. I personally wouldnt recommend it unless you got it from a car boot for £2 then it may be worth reading, sorry Dawn but ive read much better

Entertaining, funny and just a bit rude, 23 Nov 2008
Julie Walters emerges from this book as two different, but complementary personalities. One is the fun loving girl next door with a gift for seeing the funny side of life: the other is the award winning actress.

As a youngster, she was the class clown, covering the social awkwardness of the working-class grammar-school girl with a shield of sharply observed humour. As an adult, she still seems to need the protection of a physical or social mask. This is a woman who feels an emotional need to wear make-up and takes a girlish delight in humour of the seaside-postcard variety.

It's not surprising, then, that one of this book's recurring motifs is the Greek mask - the ultimate symbol of the actor's trade. And it's a trade that she loves. Julie Walters is passionate, confident and eloquent about acting and, above all, about live theatre.

The book starts with an uneven account of Julie's childhood and teenage years in a mish-mash of odd memories loosely themed around the family home in Smethwick. The tone changes and becomes more readable and enjoyable once Julie joins the adult world and starts to pursue her theatrical dreams. It's entertaining, insightful without being navel-gazing, often funny and sometimes just a bit rude.

Most fans of Julie Walters should enjoy this, although her earthiness may be slightly over the top for some (possibly, older) readers. Those of us who only know her through film and television will certainly benefit from finding out about the theatrical roots of this remarkable talent.

Rating:
Age 0-16 (first 100 pages): 2 stars
Age 17+ : 4 stars
Overall rating : 3-4 stars

A Real Story, 19 Nov 2008
At the back of this book is a list of all the television and film work that Walters has done in her long and highly successful career. It makes for fascinating reading and takes several pages. This does not include her equally enthralling theatre work.

When you realise quite how much she has done in her career you also realise that a book like this is never going to cram it all in. This is the sadness for me. I felt that the first half of the book was a rich and leisurely journey through Walter's early years. Her childhood and her training ground as a young actress.

Then as the work rolls in and the credits mount up it all gallops on apace in a rushed manner and this I was a little disappointed in. She never loses the great quality of being personal and inclusive in her writing. You almost feel that she is having you round for tea and a gossip, but you do feel towards the end that she might be looking at her watch, wanting you to hurry up so she can get on with things.

I am hoping this means there is another volume in the pipe line. I wanted to know more about her married life, although I understand her reluctance to thrust her daughter and husband into the limelight. I wanted to know more about her work on Calendar Girls, given its stellar cast, it's true story and the fact that it was a very woman centric film.

So basically, good as far as it goes, but more please.

A slow beginning leads to a captivating, engaging finish, 28 Oct 2008
I do enjoy a good autobiography, and I much prefer autobiography to biography. Julie is undoubtedly a legendary British actress who deserves all the praise and accolades that have been heaped upon her during her career. I'd been hoping for an autobiography and was delighted to learn it was published.

Initially I found it rather a heavy read, perhaps rather slow to get started. I felt that Julie was finding her feet in a new (for her) medium of expression. Any such shackles were soon discarded and the book became very readable, indeed there were times when I found it very hard to put down, but I wanted to make the book last rather than finish it in a couple of days!

Having now finished it I feel as though I'm a close personal friend, but surely that's the sign of a well-executed autobiography in that it fully engages the reader by its conclusion?

Excellent!, 22 Oct 2008
This is an excellent read, both entertaining and amusing. Julie is a great actress and her personality leaps off the pages. I found myself laughing out loud at her funny stories!

Totally absorbing, wonderful, 16 Oct 2008
I was enthralled from the very first page.

Julie Walters is not only a brilliant actress, she is also an incredibly vibrant, interesting and honest writer. This autobiography is not just about Julie Walters, the actress, but is also a fantastic observation of growing up in the fifties and sixties.

The characters in Julie's life - her mother, her grandmother, her neighbours, friends - are vividly drawn, and even the most difficult people are portrayed through the eyes of genuine love and understanding. She portrays the richness, joy and sadness of her family life with an honesty that left me breathless. She is also open and honest about herself and her experiences, which makes this wonderful book even more of an honour to read.

She has such a great way of describing things and engaging the reader that I frequently laughed out loud and burst into tears - sometimes simultaneously!

If I sound a bit over the top about this book - I'm not. I've read a lot of autobiographies and this is the best I have ever read, bar none.

Having read this book I now understand what makes Julie Walters such an outstanding actress. She observes without judgement and seeks to understand always the 'whys' of what people do and say. Reading this book taught me something about myself - no mean feat in an autobiography!

I loved her joy and enthusiasm for all the experiences that being an actress brings, and she paints it all so vividly within the pages of this book. She seems utterly unpretentious and I would love to meet her!

In fact, having read this book, I feel I already have......




Brilliant and hilarious, 01 Dec 2008
What can I say?...brilliant!. I havent laughed so hard for years and really couldnt put this book down, in fact I finished it 12 hours after I began reading.In many ways I could relate to Pauls early years .I was , however, rather upset to find out that the book only goes up to his 18th year!. Come on Paul, we want more!!!!.

Excellent!, 22 Nov 2008
This was a fantastic read and one I managed to complete very quickly. I loved the early years of Paul's life in which he describes his mother and aunts. It reminded me so much of my long missed grandmother and the things that those women of a post war era got up to.
Absolutely loved the way the book was set out, it was coherent unlike some autobiographies and gave a great insight into Paul's life that is honest and forthright. The later years were interesting and again very honest. This man has certainly lead a very interesting life (and the book ends when he is eighteen)and I can't wait to read the next installment and find out how LIly Savage came to be and what other (mis)adventures Paul got up to in the proceeding years.
Highly recommended.

Paul O'Grady at his mothers knee., 11 Nov 2008
Have just finished reading this,what a fantastic read!! Very funny don't read this last thing at night as you won't be able to sleep for laughing! Buy it you won't regret it!

Wonderful book, 02 Nov 2008
Best book I've read this year. Very well written. Full of life and also very funny indeed. Don't like using cliches, but this is definitely an 'instant classic'.

Tears and laughter, 22 Oct 2008
You can actually hear Paul dictating the words. There are heart tugging moments but there are also laugh out loud moments from a giggle to a hearty belly laugh. The characters who populated Paul's world are larger than life and twice as funny. This is a book that is, to coin a word, unputdownable and one I shall keep. I can't wait for the next one.

Brilliant!!!!!, 12 Nov 2008
This book is fantastic, alan carr is hillarious!!! Love him hes one of the best comedians out. His book had me laughing constantly, read it in a weekend because I just didnt want to put the book down it was so funny. There are no sob stories just pure comedy, loved it! Would recommend it to anyone.

Wonderful book, 05 Nov 2008
From the front cover flap:

Hello and welcome to my life.

Oh, and what a life! From the grimness of doing data entry for Mr Dog to the dizzy heights of `The Friday Night Project' and performing for Her Majesty at the Royal Variety Performance. My life's been like a long flume, up and down with a couple of damp patches in the middle.

Take my hand, I want to lead you through my life. Within these pages you will come face to face with my parents, my dog Minstrel, my friends and a whole load of waifs and strays that have helped to make my journey that little bit more memorable. When you read Look Who It Is! I'm sure you'll agree - it's just been one thing after another.


I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to all. It follows Alan's life up until he accepts the offer to host The Friday Night Project with Justin Lee Colins. It is easy to read, interesting and engaging. He was very honest and I feel I know him now, and would like to meet him. It was very enlightening, I had thought Alan had been on the comedy scene for longer than he has. In fact, it was around 2005 he began to get famous.

Alan does not just talk about comedy though. He speaks of his family, including his famous, football manager Dad, Graham Carr and all his life experiences to date, which include university, travelling around the world and horrid temp jobs such as working in a call centre. There were several things in this book I could relate too, which made it even more enjoyable.

The book was not as funny as I was expecting it to be, however it did have me laughing and chuckling in places so I don't feel particularly let down.

This is a great book; an honest story where Alan says it like it is, and doesn't go for the sympathy vote. It is a bit cheeky that he has left the door open for a sequel in a few years, but hey, good for him.

An enjoyable book.

9/10


All hail Alan Carr.., 04 Nov 2008
This book is amazing, it's one of the funniest books I have ever read. It took me quite a long time to read this book.. not because it was boring, because it was so funny I had to put it down after every couple of pages to recompose myself.

I challenge anyone to read this book without laughing outloud!

Alan we love you!


A must - read, 01 Nov 2008
I first saw Alan Carr on "8 Out Of 10 Cats" and he instantly made an impression on me. I think the reason people have taken him to heart is he doesnt take himself or anything seriously with is brand of self mockery and honesty accounts of a so far interesting life.
Lots of other people and written how you can't help but laugh out loud and its true i had to put the book down for abour five minutes purely because i couldnt go on as i was laughing too much.
Highlights include him dressing in a giant pig costume and nearly killing the family dog, wearing his moms knee high boots to get an ice cream and an account of Shirley Bassey and a stage handler behind the scen