Lost and Found My Story by Lynda Bellingham

Hardback: 358 pages
Genre: Autobiography
Publisher:  Random House Group 2010
Source:  Tywyn Library, Wales.
First Sentences: It was a crisp, clear October morning in Montreal, Canada. The sun glinted on church spires. 
Favourite Quote:  It has taken sixty years to discover who I really am.
Review Quote: "Courageous ... searingly honest" (Mail on Sunday)
My Opinion: Interesting and raw account.

An actress whose work I have followed with interest over the years so although I do not normally read many autobiographies when this was recommended by a friend I decided to give it a go. This autobiography is an interesting and sometimes raw account of Lynda Bellingham's life. Where with brutal honesty she shares her life experiences, adoption, sexual appetite and the mental abuse she suffered till she found herself and happiness at the age of sixty. Her warm personality and much needed sense of humour show through in her writing.

At times this book is a little harrowing with some strong language, at least she has not written about a sugar coated dream life but a horribly realistic one.  Lynda Bellingham is a very strong woman who has written about surviving the tough times she has already faced and sadly is now currently facing another major obstacle in her life in the form of cancer. Wishing her all the best in this latest battle which she is struggling to overcome. 

I would recommend Lost and Found My Story to fans of this actress if you can face the home truths she writes about.



                                     Lynda Bellingham talking about 'Lost and Found My Story'

Author Profile

Born: May 31, 1948 in Montreal, Canada

I have chosen to use this Biography in her own words from her Official Website

I was born in Montréal, Canada. My dad was a pilot for BOAC so we moved around a fair bit when I was young. When he retired to buy a farm we spent the next forty odd years in a village called Aston Abbotts near Aylesbury. I went to Aylesbury High school for girls. I appeared in several school plays and performed at the Pendley Shakespeare festival as Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ Arrived in London at the Central school in 1966 and never looked back. I had a ball!
Over the last forty years I have managed to make a living from the industry and even make a name for myself. I played Helen Herriott in All Creatures Great and Small for three series. I starred with James Bolam in ‘Second Thoughts’ and then as Faith in ‘Faith in the Future’ with the lovely Julia Sawalha playing my daughter. In 1998 we won a best comedy award. I did a stint on The Bill as the evil Irene Radford and played in At Home with the Braithwaites and Bonkers.
In the theatre I have starred with David Jason in ‘Look No Hands’ at the Strand Theatre with Janet Suzman and Maureen Lipman in ‘The sisters Rosensweig’ at the Old Vic. More recently I did ‘Losing Louis’ with Alison Steadman and ‘Sugar Mummies’ at the Royal Court. I also starred in a two hander called ‘Vincent River’ with Mark Field at the Trafalgar Theatre. Perhaps my biggest triumph is starring in Calendar Girls on the national tour and in the West End.
My film career stretches from Confessions of a Window Cleaner to Alexandra the wife of Czar Nicholas in a twelve million dollar Russian epic filmed entirely in Russia called the Romanovs, a love story. Other credits include ‘Don't go breaking my heart’ and ‘The Scarlet Tunic’.
I did various commercials and finally found myself at the centre of the Oxo campaign. I spent the next sixteen years as the Nation's treasure making gravy. It won every award there was to win. Speaking of awards I am proud to say I am now part of the NTA award winning show Loose Women on ITV. I have a wonderful time once or twice a week chewing the fat with the other girls.
I once said I would never marry again but never say never. In 2008 on my sixtieth birthday I got married for the third and last time to Michael Pattemore. My sons Michael and Robbie are doing well and my career goes from strength to strength. I have my autobiography out and I am working on the next book. I know I have a good deal to learn as a writer but I love it and practice makes perfect.

I am in a wonderful place and very grateful for all the good things that have happened to me.

Since writing the personal biography I have quoted above Lynda Bellingham has sadly been diagnosed with cancer which she has been fighting since the diagnosis in the summer of 2013. She recently gave an interview to the Daily Mail about its impact on her life.

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her life. 


Lynda Bellingham - Wikipedia   Facebook Profile - Lynda Bellingham    Twitter Profile

Daily Mail Interview   YouTube Video  Amazon Author Page