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Ricky: The Autobiography
Famous as the lovable couch potato Jim Royle of The Royle Family, Ricky Tomlinson has entertained millions without ever leaving his armchair. Now, in his long-awaited autobiography, he surprises yet again with a remarkable story of love, hardship, humor, injustice, and triumph. His mother used to tell him that he had lived three lives, but even she miscounted. He has been
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Paperback
,
464 pages
Published
May 1st 2004
by Little, Brown Book Group
(first published January 2003)
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Community Reviews
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There are very few characters in the world like Ricky Tomlinson. A larger than life comedic actor, who has also breached the music charts, he has come from humble beginnings and retains his working class values, even now, when he could quite easily have turned his back on his working class upbringing as so many other stars have done.
If you live in America then odds are you have never even heard of Ricky Tomlinson whereas across the pond in the UK he is a household name who is probably most famou ...more
If you live in America then odds are you have never even heard of Ricky Tomlinson whereas across the pond in the UK he is a household name who is probably most famou ...more
It was such a refreshing change to read someone being brutally honest rather than the sugar coating that so many peoples memoirs have. I picked this book up ages ago and having just re-watched all 3 series of the Royale Family I thought I'd give this a go. I expected it to be filled with humour (like Peter Kays autobiographies) but instead Ricky was completely open and honest about the hard life he's had both before and after he found fame. He must have an enormously strong character to be as fu
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I love Ricky Tomlinson. I was never a Brookside fan. I watched it a few times and it always seemed so violent and was a just people arguing. I got enough of that at home. But The Royle Family is pure genius. I just love it, it's warm, its endearing. It's funny, its sad. It's perfect and every line is just wonderful. From the very first page, you can tell instantly how different a book this is to the other celebrity books I’ve read. Why shouldn't it be? you ask. Well, because I took this one on a
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Got very political, something I've no interest in. Felt sorry for him, despite Ricky bringing on everything himself. He's had a tough life, mostly self-imposed, but his talent won out in the end.
Absolutely loved this biography would read it again and again! Ricky Tomlinson so honest, true and down to earth! A must read
I expected this to be boring, however I don't think I have ever been this wrong in all my life. Ricky actually writes a quite exquisite autobiography filled with honesty. His account of his time in prison is especially an amazing and emotional read- I couldn't put the chapters about that down.
Of course just like all autobiographies it is slightly biased, but no one is going to admit everything is their fault, are they? Besides, the tale of his trip to where he is now is inspiring and definitely ...more
Of course just like all autobiographies it is slightly biased, but no one is going to admit everything is their fault, are they? Besides, the tale of his trip to where he is now is inspiring and definitely ...more
Loved this book from start to finish!
Ricky is so humble and has never forgotten where he came from! Fame has not altered him!
This is a warts and all book which is brutally honest even down to admitting his affairs and mistakes! He has done so much for so many and is also a natural comedian!
This is a must read for any fan or for those that want to know the truth about the pickets he was jailed for! You will truly get to know him in parts you may dislike him but he always wins you round!
Ricky is so humble and has never forgotten where he came from! Fame has not altered him!
This is a warts and all book which is brutally honest even down to admitting his affairs and mistakes! He has done so much for so many and is also a natural comedian!
This is a must read for any fan or for those that want to know the truth about the pickets he was jailed for! You will truly get to know him in parts you may dislike him but he always wins you round!
Really enjoyed this book. He's lead a pretty interesting (and varied!) life, and this makes great reading... His usually humour is in there, making me laugh out loud at times. He comes across as being really down to earth, whilst having the conviction to fight for what he believes in. Some of the stories are priceless, and he's very honest about his affairs among other things. This really is a warts and all autobiography...
I am sometimes wary of reading autobiographies of people I admire as they do not always come out well. Norman Wisdom and Lee Evans is a case in point (although the Lee Evans one was more due to an appaling writing style). Ricky is honest (up to a point one suspects) but doesn't try to paint himself as a genius and while the reading was light it was entertaining. Good luck to him.
I received this as a Christmas present. I was already aware of RT's involvement with trade unions, and this was probably the most interesting part of the book (for me). It's an easy read and an enjoyable account of RT's life.
Seems a very honest, open account of his life story. Has certainly lived a varied, eventful life with many downs as well as ups. I don't read many autobiographies, however I'm glad to have read this one.
I found reading about Ricky's life strangely addictive and had a hard time putting it down. The book was well written and brutally honest. A really good read.
I think it was pretty brave of Ricky Tomlinson to write this because it really is the ultimate warts and all autobiograph. Very enjoyable and highly recommended.
A heart warming, moving & joyful bio and a catalyst to me reading The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, one of my top 5 reads. For that alone I thank you Ricky.
Ricky Tomlinson is such a great person. Unbelievable all of what he did before becoming famous for his television work. He is very witty, so a very good read.
Entertains, educates, makes you laugh and frown all in one. Excellent
Great read, I wasn't very interested in reading this, but got it given to me as a xmas present so gave it a go. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Ricky has a very interesting life.
Read by the big lump himself. I would not like to meet him.
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