John Blake Publishing: 421 books

You were born at Queen's Hospital in Romford, on February 25th, 1990.'Congratulations! It's an Essex girl!' announced the midwife, scooping up the false eyelashes and bottle of fake tan that had popped out with the afterbirth.Your mum and dad had only been together for a matter of months, but they...

‘Pick up Hilary Bonner at your peril - you won’t be able to put her down’ - Val McDermid A twenty-five-year old murder, a missing girl, and a fatal attraction in a small seaside town…It is the first Sunday in August 1970. Another beautiful day in a summer that is burning itself to a...

On 5 February 2011, Marcia Grender received a phone call which changed her life forever. The flat her beautiful nineteen-year-old daughter Nikitta shared with her fiancé Ryan Mayes was on fire, and Nikitta was believed to be trapped inside. Marcia and her partner Paul, Nikitta’s father,...

On Saturday, 23 October 2010, Sonia Oatley waved off her 15-year-old daughter, Becca, to meet Joshua Davies, a former boyfriend. Becca's hope was that the two of them would get back together, but it was not to be. By 3pm, oddly, she stopped answering her mobile. By 7.30 she was officially declared...

'WAS THIS THE WORK OF THE TRIADS OR THE DRUGS? BECAUSE IT SEEMED EVERYTHING IN WAN CHAI, INDEED EVEN HONG KONG, HAD A SECRET SET OF PULLEYS, CABLES AND MOTORS LINKING IT ALL UP LIKE AN ENORMOUS PINBALL MACHINE OR A CITY-SIZED VERSION OF THE GHOST HOUSE AT THE FAIR.'Chris Thrall left the Royal Marine...

As one of Britain's best known TV and radio personalities, Gloria Hunniford requires little introduction. From chat show and current affairs host to presenter of consumer and lifestyle programmes, Gloria is one of the few broadcasters who can genuinely claim to embrace the spectrum of popular culture....

Do you ever think about how the roads you walked as a child change the doors that open in your future? In 1951, seven-year-old Peter Stockley's life was set down a dark path after losing his mother. Her legacy to him was an optimism and spirit that even a vile step-mother could not break, and...

WHEN PAT STEWART POSED ON THE RAILINGS OF BLACKPOOL PROMENADE ON A BLUSTERY DAY, LITTLE DID SHE KNOW THE RESULTING PHOTOGRAPH WOULD BECOME AN ICONIC IMAGE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. IT WAS ALSO ONE THAT WOULD FOLLOW HER THROUGHOUT HER FIFTY-SIX YEARS IN SHOW BUSINESS. Pat was born to dance....

Her face is simply unmistakable as the council house based brothel madam, Lillian, in Channel 4's long running brilliant cult drama 'Shameless,' based on a Manchester sink estate. By her own admission not exactly the Bridget Bardot of the North West, she is fiercely and unapologetically proud of her...

As a mere infant, the chances of a safe and happy family life for Lynette Gould were torn to shreds when she was sexually violated beyond her comprehension. The once carefree and happy girl found herself suffering repeatedly at the hands of her own wicked father. Years of sexual degradation turned...

‘Yvie is an amazing vocal coach – she loves her job, loves seeing people improve and loves seeing people reach their dreams’ – Gary Barlow ’Yvie is the most wonderful singing teacher’ – Sam Smith ’Yvie is a great vocal coach and a great woman’ – Sharon Osbourne You’ll...

On 8 January 2017, Dame Shirley Bassey, one of the greatest performers – and voices – of her generation, will be eighty. This is her unique story, told at first-hand by her greatest fan. Since she signed her first professional contract at the age of sixteen, Shirley Bassey has become one...

Best known as an actor and one of the BBC’s Eggheads, few people would guess from his cultured exterior at the horrific early years of abuse CJ de Mooi endured.As a teenager, CJ fled from his childhood home to escape prolonged hatred and violence, and consequently slept rough for three years. He...

Buckingham Palace, London, 2013 - My mum and I seem to be on the cover of every magazine these days. She must be really pleased that I've made her so famous. Before I arrived, I don't suppose many people had even heard of her.Kensington Palace, London, 2013 - Dad's a pilot who flies helicopters right...