Alison Steadman writes memoir

Friday 17th November 2023, 10:51am

Alison Steadman is writing her autobiography. My Story will be out in October 2024
It is billed as "the full, funny, feminist and entertaining story of one of our best-loved, and most versatile, actors"
The Gavin & Stacey star says: Iit struck me that I've spent over 50 years playing at being other people"

Gavin & Stacey star Alison Steadman is writing My Story, a memoir to be released in October 2024.

The blurb explains: "The first autobiography from the national treasure, critically acclaimed actress and much-loved Gavin & Stacey star.

"Growing up in Liverpool as the entertainer of the family, impersonating neighbours to the delight of her friends and playing pranks on her unwitting mother (from which the poor carpet never recovered), the young Alison Steadman could never have imagined what the future had in store. But when she snuck off to London to audition for drama school in secret, Alison set in motion a series of events that would see her become one of the greatest character-actors of the age, and a national treasure to boot.

"From Beverley's overbearing party throwing and Mrs Bennet's ailing 'nerves' to Pamelaaaa's instantly-regretted vegetarian declaration, Alison's colourful characters have found her fans across generations and continents. She has won award after award, with acclaimed film roles in Life Is Sweet and The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice alongside too many starring television roles to mention. But it's Alison warmth, humour and humility that won her the heart of the nation.

"This is the full, funny, feminist and entertaining story of one of our best-loved, and most versatile, actors."

Steadman has been writing the memoir based on a series of conversations with creative producer and interviewer Fiona Lindsay.

Sarah Emsley from publishers HarperCollins told The Bookseller: "Like many of the characters she plays so well, Alison Steadman is full of life, energy and fun, but she is also a leading lady of great intelligence, strength and integrity. A born raconteur who had me in fits of giggles at our first meeting, Alison's stories span a 50-year career and give us an invaluable insight into the life and times of an actress working across the last half-century of British film and TV. We couldn't be more delighted to be working with her."

Steadman herself added: "As a daft and enthusiastic 21-year-old, I eagerly rushed into the theatre bar after my first professional performance, threw my arms in the air and offered the otherwise engaged crowd my best impression of the legendary comedian Stanley Baxter's catchphrase - And this is the real me! Thinking about that moment recently, it struck me that I've spent over 50 years playing at being other people - girlfriends, lovers, wives, mothers and grandmothers and yet throughout the high and lows of all these other women's lives, I've managed to sustain my own two loves, my family and being an actress, and still be me, still daft and enthusiastic."

Alison Steadman - My Story will be published on the 10th October 2024. It is available to pre-order now in hardback and eBook formats.

Steadman is currently filming more episodes of the sitcom Here We Go, which will be on BBC One in 2024.

Alison Steadman - Out Of Character

By Alison Steadman and Fiona Lindsay

The first autobiography from the national treasure, critically acclaimed actress and much-loved Gavin & Stacey star.

Growing up in Liverpool as the entertainer of the family, impersonating neighbours to the delight of her friends and playing pranks on her unwitting mother (from which the poor carpet never recovered), the young Alison Steadman could never have imagined what the future had in store. But when she snuck off to London to audition for drama school in secret, Alison set in motion a series of events that would see her become one of the greatest character-actors of the age, and a national treasure to boot.

From Beverley's overbearing party throwing and Mrs Bennet's ailing 'nerves' to Pamelaaaa's instantly-regretted vegetarian declaration, Alison's colourful characters have found her fans across generations and continents. She has won award after award, with acclaimed film roles in Life Is Sweet and The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice alongside too many starring television roles to mention. But it's Alison warmth, humour and humility that won her the heart of the nation.

This is the full, funny, feminist and entertaining story of one of our best-loved, and most versatile, actors.

First published: Thursday 10th October 2024

Hardback

eBook

Audiobook