Wednesday 6th September 2006
Brenda Blethyn – Mixed Fancies
Talk and signing at Waterstone’s, 91 Deansgate, Manchester
Wednesday 4th October at 7pm
Tickets £3, redeemable against purchase of the promoted title on the night
0161 8391248
One of Britain’s best-loved and talented character actresses will be discussing and signing copies of her autobiography
Born in Ramsgate during the 1940s, Brenda Bottle was the youngest of nine in a poor but close family. She left school to work as a secretary for British Rail, where she met her husband. But by the age of twenty-seven, the marriage was over. Brenda left her job and, with the little she had saved, enrolled at Guildford Drama School. One of Britain's best-loved actresses, Brenda Blethyn has dazzled in a vast number of roles, including her performances as downtrodden Cynthia in Mike Leigh's SECRETS AND LIES and as the man-eating Mari Hoff in LITTLE VOICE, for which she received Oscar nominations. On stage, television and film she has worked with our greatest writers and directors -- Alan Bennett, Tom Stoppard, Sam Mendes, Peter Hall -- and actors -- including Michael Caine, Jude Law, Julie Walters, Brad Pitt, Ewan McGregor and John Hurt. Brenda is one of Britain's finest character actresses, famous for playing her roles with social realism and warmth, wit and humour -- characters her audience empathise with. She has the same warmth and humour off screen too; a wonderfully down-to-earth person with a fascinating history. Told with sparkling wit and engaging honesty, MIXED FANCIES is the compelling story of her journey from the Plains of Waterloo to the National Theatre and on to television, Hollywood and stardom.
Kerry Katona – Too Much, Too Young
Book signing at Waterstone’s, 21-23 The Mall, Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington
Saturday 7th October at 1pm
Signing, no ticket required 01925 653344
The former ‘Queen of the Jungle’ will be in-store signing copies of her autobiography
The first series of "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here" was dominated by two women, Kerry, the eventual winner, and Jordan, whose first autobiography sold a staggering 500,000 copies through the trade. Until now Kerry has never told her full story. She may have permanently graced the front of OK, had her every move followed and reported by the tabloids, watched her marriage disintegrate under the camera's glare, learnt of her husband's infidelity via the papers, and gone into rehab in America trailed by the journos. But she has never actually told her own story in full. Her first memory was of watching her mother try to kill herself, her childhood was one of shifting foster homes and children's homes, but now as a single mother she is trying to put tragedy behind her and raise her two children in a loving and secure home. This is a story of a little girl who fought to escape her background, became famous at an incredibly young age, married a heartthrob too young and sank to the very lowest point after he left her, but is now building a triumphant, independent life of her own.
Michael Barrymore – Awight! Setting the Record Straight
Book signing at Waterstone’s, 17 The Parade, Metro Centre, Gateshead
Tuesday 10th October at 12.30pm
Signing, no ticket required 0191 4932715
Book signing at Waterstone’s, The Arndale Centre, Manchester
Wednesday 11th October at 5pm
Signing, no ticket required 0161 8328563
The TV star will be signing copies of his new autobiography.
Michael Barrymore is one of Britain's favourite entertainers. His appearances on Saturday night TV in the 1980s and 90s were unforgettable and the relationship he built with the audience unique. However, following the tragic death of Stuart Lubbock in Michael's swimming pool in 2001, his career ground to a halt. AWIGHT NOW is Michael's story. He takes us through his rollercoaster life, from his poor London childhood, his work as a Butlin's Redcoat, through to TV and tabloid fame. At the height of his popularity, he suffered increasing alcohol problems and split from Cheryl, his wife of twenty years. In the fall-out, he admitted that he was homosexual and endured horrendous press intrusion into his private life. Then in 2001, came the terrible death of Stuart Lubbock. Michael tells of his despair following the tragedy and how his world fell apart. Despite tabloid rumours, Michael had no involvement with the death and has never been arrested or charged. Since 2001, Michael has endured some dark moments but through determination and the love of his friends, he is now picking up the pieces. His remarkable TV comeback on Celebrity Big Brother has catapulted him back into the spotlight and assured him that the British public want him back. Michael is touring the UK in autumn 2006 as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.
Harry Hill – Tim the Tiny Horse
Talk and signing at Waterstone’s, 91 Deansgate, Manchester
Tuesday 10th October at 6pm
Free tickets, available from the branch 0161 8391248
Harry Hill will be discussing and signing copies of his new book, an hilarious read for adults and children alike.
Tim, the Tiny Horse is definitely the smallest horse you could ever find. His stable is a matchbox with a tic-tac box conservatory and, with a cocktail stick, some cotton and a hawthorn berry Tim can play swingball. In this book, you can see what it's like being Tim: the highs and lows of trying to get into radio; making a reality TV programme; or just kicking back and enjoying a hula hoop with his best friend Fly. Then there's the serious stuff - Tim thinking about the meaning of life and his own mortality, Tim dealing with Fly's new girlfriend, and, of course, his passion for Anna Ford on the telly...
Bernard Cornwell – Sharpe’s Fury
Talk and signing at Waterstone’s, 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham
Thursday 12th October at 7.30pm
Tickets £3, redeemable against purchase of the promoted title on the night
0115 9484499
Book signing at Waterstone’s, 2-6 Exchange Arcade, The Cornhill, Lincoln
Friday 13th October at 12.30pm
Signing, no ticket required 01522 523690
The bestselling author will be discussing and signing copies of his new book, the long-awaited 21st novel featuring swashbuckling hero Richard Sharpe
In the winter of 1811 the war seemed lost. Most of Spain has fallen to the French, and the capital Cadiz is under siege. Richard Sharpe and his company are part of a small expeditionary force sent by Wellington to break a bridge across the River Guadiana. What begins as a brilliant piece of soldiering turns into disaster, thanks to the brutal savagery of the French Colonel Vandal who is leading his battalion to join the siege of Cadiz. Sharpe extricates a handful of men from the debacle and is driven south into the threatened city. There, in Cadiz, he discovers more than one enemy. An allied army marches from the city to take on the more powerful French and, once again, a brilliant piece of soldiering turns to disaster, this time because the Spanish refuse to fight. A small British force is trapped by a French army, and the only hope now lies with the outnumbered redcoats who, on a hill beside the sea, refuse to admit defeat. And there, in the sweltering horror of Barossa, Sharpe finds Colonel Vandal again. "Sharpe's Fury" is based on the real events of the winter of 1811 that led to the extraordinary victory of Barossa, the battle which saw the British capture the first French eagle of the Napoleonic Wars.
Meet George Alagiah
Talk and signing at Cartwright Hall, Lister Park, Bradford
Friday 13th October at 7pm
Tickets £3, available from Waterstone’s, The Wool Exchange, Hustlergate, Bradford
01274 732216
The BBC journalist will be discussing his new book 'A Home from Home' in which he examines the immigrant experience in Britain.
George Alagiah was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Ghana. His family came to Britain in the 60s. This is his story, going to school in Portsmouth (where his friends were all white and teased him in the shower room for not having a summer tan) and gradually discovering his immigrant identity. 'It crept up on me - this feeling that I wanted to be Sri Lankan again. Or, at least, allow Sri Lanka to be a part of me again. This is not about citizenship. I am British. This is not about allegiance. I am loyal to Queen and country. This is about a feeling. How do you account for what I can only call an umbilical connection with a place you have left over forty years ago?' And this feeling is also something Alagiah examines more widely, looking at how immigrant experiences have differed in Britain in the post-war years, how multiculturalism has led to ghettos and failure, and how we should celebrate our immigrants both through their civilising values and economic necessity. Alagiah visited Bradford as research for his book and has strong views on the city’s development as well as the development of other local towns including Halifax.
David Jensen Photography:
https://www.davidjensen.co.uk/
