Product Description

Victoria Wood's wit and humour have endeared her to millions of TV viewers for over three decades. Writer, producer and actress of television shows such as As Seen on TV and Dinnerladies, Victoria has often been voted the funniest woman in Britain. In this updated biography her rise to stardom, from her early years in Lancashire to the successes of the sell-out shows at the Royal Albert Hall, is sympathetically and honestly portrayed by Neil Brandwood. With a new chapter covering the success of the stage version of Acorn Antiques, and the end of her 26 year relationship with Geoffrey Durham, this meticulously researched and written biography provides an insightful account of the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved comediennes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #150948 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-23
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Review
"'Reveals the private traumas behind the showbiz glitter' Sunday Express 'A very readable, insightful biography' Lancashire Life"

About the Author
Neil Brandwood works as a journalist for the Bury Times Group.

Customer Reviews

Biog of a private person
I found this book interesting because I love Victoria's stand up act and wanted to know more about her. About 80% of the book is about her entertainment work; there is little that is personal and I later found out that this is because the biog. is unofficial. I learned from the book that Victoria has striven hard to keep her private life private, and had I known that I would not have bought the book, for Brandwood has, by writing it, revealed more than Victoria herself wanted to.

Victoria Sponger
The author takes great pains to present Victoria's second stage play, Good Fun, as a flop. But, the fact of the matter is, it wasn't a flop - not in audience terms and certainly not in financial terms either for The Crucible (Sheffield) who commissioned it in the first place and who had to bring it back for a second run due to public demand.

I attended one of those packed performances and I can honestly say it was one of the funniest, most enjoyable theatre experiences I've ever had. There is no mention in the book, of course, of it being brought back for a second run. That would only get in the way of a good story. The ultimate proof that it was a flop, according to Brandwood is that it failed to transfer to the West End. Yeah, and? Their loss. Trust me, I know 'cos I was there.

If Neil Brandwood can report so inaccurately in the case of Good Fun, what chance of him getting any of the rest of it right? Not much, when the only people he actually gets to speak to first hand are the likes of Victoria's estranged brother, a girl who he implies Victoria bullied at school and Mrs Loombucket who lived down the lane when little Vicky was five!

It's a vaguely depressing read with Victoria painted as a middle-class snob with a chip on her shoulder and an indifferent attitude to her fans. I don't think Brandwood likes his subject very much. Shame.

If you are a fan don't waste your money
This is one of the most irritating biographies I have ever read. The author professes to being a fan but is constantly sniping at Victoria Wood because she is living a well off lifestyle but professes in her acts to be an ordinary northern lass. Get real thats why its called an ACT!!! Of course she has money because she is successful and deseves to be. Also the author tries to psychoanalyse ever sketch ever written to try and tie everything up with her childhood..sometimes writers just write stuff because its funny. This guy gives the impression that he is just plain jealous that he has never hit the big time in his own career. Perhaps the most telling thing about this book is that none of Victoria Woods real friends have cooperated, that says it all.