Product Description

The son of a road sweeper, Shane Ritchie has come a long way from London's Harlesden to being voted Britain's Sexiest Soap Star in the 2003 Soap Awards. But it's not been an easy ride, as he's had to fight his way to the top not once, but twice in a career with more twists and turns than a soap plot line. Starting as a Pontins Bluecoat, he made his name in Grease. His TV career quickly made him the face of Saturday night entertainment. In this fascinatingly honest read, he writes openly about his womanising, break-up of his marriage to singer Coleen Nolan, his heavy drinking and money troubles and how he came close to breakdown when he realised he had lost everything important to him. He takes us through to the day he received the call that turned his life around - the offer of the part of Alfie in EastEnders - and tells how a new love helped him pick himself up from rock bottom. After 25 years in showbusiness, Shane emerges as a gifted actor and unique star.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177518 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

THE BOOKSELLER
'A title that has obvious audio potential'

Synopsis
The son of a dustman, Shane Richie has come a long way from the rough streets of London's Harlesden. As EASTENDERS' loveable rogue Alfie Moon, he is now the 'darling' of every soap fan in Britain. But it has been an incredible roller-coaster ride to the top. Shane grabbed the trappings of fame with both hands, sleeping with a string of women and indulging in the champagne lifestyle to excess. The hugely popular television entertainer started life as a Pontins Bluecoat before making his name as the star of the musical GREASE. A successful TV career saw him quickly become the face of Saturday night entertainment with shows such as LUCKY NUMBERS, WIN, LOSE OR DRAW!, LOVE ME DO and the SHANE RICHIE EXPERIENCE. In RAGS TO RICHIE, Shane writes candidly about his years of womanising, the agonising break-up of his marriage to singer Colleen Nolan and the days of heavy drinking. He also reveals how he coped through his career nose-dive, his money troubles and the loss of almost everything important to him. In this fascinating read, Shane lifts the lid on his 25 amazing years in showbusiness, emerging as a gifted actor, generously spirited man and a unique star.

About the Author
Comedian and now actor Shane Richie has presented the TV entertainment shows Lucky Numbers, Win, Lose or Draw!, Love Me Do and The Shane Richie Experience. He is a household name as Alfie Moon in the BBC soap EastEnders.At the 2003 Inside Soap Awards he won four - Funniest Character, Sexiest Male, Best Family, with the rest of the Moons, and Best Newcomer.
Journalist Sue Crawford, who assisted Richie, wrote the bestselling biography of Ozzy Osbourne - Ozzy Unauthorised.

Customer Reviews

From Rags to Riches
What a fantastic read. Once picked up you will not want to put this book down until you get to the end. Amazing story. Very funny and entertaining book.

Fantastic Insight
What a fantastic read, it's about the highs and the lows of becoming a stand-up comic to live theatre to when he started as Alfie Moon in Eastenders.

This book is a brilliant insight to the truly fantastic mind that is Shane Richie. I could not put this book down, I even went to read it when walking to work. I laughed out loud at the happy parts but I also cried at the sad parts.

Well worth a read, it won't take long as you won't be able to sleep not knowing what will happen.

A Fantastic Read
I thought this book was absolutly brillant.Every page was full of interesting stories, humourous incounters but also sadness that was put down in a light hearted way even when times were low he still manages to sugar coated it with jokes. I found it very hard to put this book down. Even if you are not a Shane Richie fan I think you will still get alot out of this book. I would rcomend it to anyone.