Book review: rula: my colourful life by rula lenska

Since then she's been a Seventies small screen icon, Celebrity Big Brother contestant and Coronation Street star while her long career in theatre has seen her travel the world tackling

everything from Shakespeare to panto. However it is perhaps her second marriage to Minder star Dennis Waterman that fascinates fans most. Rocked by his drinking and repeated infidelity the

story of their marriage took a dramatic turn last year when, after years of Rula being branded a liar, her famous ex finally admitted that he'd been violent towards her during their 16

years together. In this book Rula tells her side of the story, describing the devastating effect of Dennis's behaviour. She describes his early affair with Amanda Redman, his

disappearances to the pub with his mates and the blazing rows that ensued. Rula also speaks of his terrifying temper and the tears, apologies and love songs that would follow. This is not a

woman out for revenge. Rula, 65, is clearly at peace with the past, telling the tale of her marriage woes with sadness but also remembering happy times and fondly recalling adventures they

shared. There's plenty more to talk about. The early part of the book delves into Rula's aristocratic Polish background and her family's flight to London after their homeland

was invaded by the Nazis and Soviets. She describes her early life, her first forays into acting and romance, and a youthful misadventure in Sardinia where her relationship with an Italian

man resulted in her being arrested on suspicion of drug dealing. Despite being innocent it took Rula months to win her freedom and nearly cost her a place at drama school. She also recalls

finding fame with hit Seventies television show Rock Follies and her fun, if sometimes uneasy, relationships with co-stars Charlotte Cornwell and Julie Covington. She also tells of her time

on Coronation Street and the "16 days of madness" on Celebrity Big Brother, the rows with pop star Pete Burns and her shock about the reaction to her infamous "cat owner and

his mistress" improvisation with MP George Galloway that made him a national laughing stock. Unsurprisingly the book is liberally scattered with stories of stars that it would be unfair

to spoil. A few of the names mentioned include Zsa Zsa Gabor, Margaret Thatcher and Sidney Poitier, as well as a stripped-from-the-waist-down Les Dawson and indecent proposals from the

likes of Oliver Reed and Salvador Dali. The book is a fascinating glimpse into Rula's colourful life and career and ends with her latest and possibly favourite role, that of being

grandmother to daughter Lara's baby son - as well as the promise of much more adventure and mischief to come. _Robson Press, £16.99 (RRP £20)_ VERDICT: 4/5