Product Description

Barbara Windsor reveals the truth behind the headlines in her honest, passionate account of her life. From her first stage appearance at the age of just thirteen, through her years as a Carry On favourite, to her starring role in the BBC's Eastenders, her lonely childhood, marriage, and wild affairs, this is essential reading for her fans.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #238012 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 449 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review

I always felt I was more than just a busty blonde with a giggle and a wiggle.

Barbara Windsor is forever enshrined in the national psyche as a cheeky Cockney, the blonde bombshell star of that quintessentially British creation, the Carry On film. Windsor's career in showbusiness has spanned an incredible 50 years--from her first appearance in pantomime at the age of 12, to soap-star matriarch behind the bar at the Queen Vic in Eastenders.

Windsor (born Barbara Deeks; the name-change came in 1952, Coronation year, and was "particularly apt") grew up torn between her rowing parents who nevertheless instilled in her a passion for film-going. Aware that her looks and cheeky air would get her work, Windsor secretly deplored being eternally typecast as a "bimbo in white stilettos" and saw herself instead as a "theatre comedy actress". Her comic talent and sheer capacity for hard work led her, after years of damp dressing rooms and end-of-the-pier shows, to an enduring status as an icon of sorts, her ultimate accolade being made an OBE in 2000.

Yet Windsor is almost as famous for her private life as she is for her public achievements, and she is exceptionally candid about her affairs--most notoriously with fellow Carry On star Sid James, though there was an occasion over some salt-beef sandwiches with jazzman Ronnie Scott ("I felt he had taken me on more for my bosom than for my singing"). There were also her abortions, her friendships with some of the biggest stars of the 60s--Kenneth Williams and she were so close that he came on her honeymoon--and she has always held a rather dubious affection for the Krays. Her first husband, Ronnie Knight, became Britain's most wanted man after his involvement in a robbery, her second sold his story to the tabloids after their marriage ended; she has recently married her third husband after a turbulent relationship. "I'd always been a grafter, not a whinger; always got out there and done it when the chips were down", writes Windsor and we never expect anything less of her.

The enjoyable and slightly scandalous All of Me is written in the best British tradition of self-deprecation, hard work, laughter and tears--with a touch of sauciness thrown in. Just like a Carry On film, in fact. --Kate Weaver

About the Author
Born in 1957, the only child of a snobbish, hard-to-please mother, and a cheery, but unambitious father, Barbara began her showbusiness career at the age of 7 when she won numerous talent contests with her adult voice and her flamboyant performances. Since then her life and career have encompassed night-club singing, musicals, associations with gangsters, back-street abortions, the Carry-on films, a husband who became Britain's most wanted man, and now, a hugely-acclaimed role in Eastenders. Barbara will be getting married in the summer of 2000.

Customer Reviews

A Stunning Memoir!
"All of Me" by Barbara Windsor is a fantastic book, written with pure honesty and emotion, a real page turner and perhaps the best memoir by a British actress ever put to paper. I really enjoyed reading this book for it's a compulsive paper turner and one that can be read again and again.
It's a sad, funny and totally trueful account of a life and career filled with outstanding success. I now feel that I know the wonderful Babs personally, a true star, a true legend and a truelly unquie lady.
Do yourself a favour and buy this fabulous Emotion autobiography today.

Superb book.
This book is for anyone who likes any or all of the following: Autobiography's, Celebs, Carry on films, Theatre productions, Eastenders, Acting etc etc etc

This book is a real page turner from start to finish. I ended up shouting at the book saying "dont stay with him Barbara, he's using you!!" a lot. Very colourful past this lady has and yet i ended up feeling sorry for her in many ways. She has been in showbiz all her life and i am glad that her worries now appear to be over. I urge you to read this book as its very personal and she has led an extraordinary life full of ups and downs. BUY IT NOW!

Dame Barbara Windsor please!
Babs is one of Britain's most notorius and famous celebrities. Her life story is better than any script around here or in tinseltown. What I like about this book is her complete honesty, I have both of her autobiographies. I think this is one of the best books I ever read. She's honest, candid, and admits to her 5 abortions, her estranged relationship with her father, and her relationships with men like Ronnie Knight and Scott Mitchell. Some might call her life shallow and empty but I don't. She's accomplished a lot more in her life than she ever thought. The icing on the cake was the M.B.E. when she began doubting herself, I just wanted to tell her to shut up and say yes, you're worthy of an M.B.E. She needs reassuring in life and that's why she doesn't forget her fans or the people who helped build her career.