Frank Skinner Autobiography

(Paperback)

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Description

Frank Skinner is undoubtedly of one of the funniest and most successful comedians appearing on British screens. Born Chris Collins in 1957 he grew up in the West Midlands where he inherited his father's passion for football, a West Bromich Albion supporter, along with a liking for alcohol. Expelled from school at 16 Frank held various jobs later going on to gain an MA in English Literature. Nurturing a serious drink problem from the age of fourteen, Frank eventually turned to Catholicism in 1987 and hasn't had a drink since. He performed his first stand up gig in December 1987. His first television appearance in 1988 met with fits of laughter from the audience and 131 complaints, including one from cabinet minister Edwina Currie. He met fellow comedian David Baddiel in 1990 and the two went on to share a flat throughout the early 90's and to create the hit TV series Fantasy Football League. Winner of the prestigious Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival, Skinner's is a unique mixture of laddish and philosophical humour which has won him the prime time ITV show - The Frank Skinner Show. Here, for the first time, Frank candidly tells us of the highs and lows of his fascinating life and career.

Reviews

Skinner tells this amazing story in a rapid and murky manner -- David Sexton * Evening Standard *
A rattling good read, written with humour and honesty -- Lorraine Kelly * The Sun *
Skinner has a pathological need to tell the truth and that can only be to the advantage of any autobiography * Scotsman *
Skinner has written his own life story - and it's a minor masterpiece . . . although his stand-up revelations are far more fun than anything in the tabloids, it's his poignant portrait of his working-class youth that makes it a classic of its kind * The Guardian *

Author Bio

Born in January 1957 Frank Skinner grew up in Oldbury and Smethwick in the West Midlands. After various jobs, he performed his first stand up gig in December 1987 and went on to win the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He often works with his best friend and fellow comedian, David Baddiel; they hosted the incredibly popular Fantasy Football League TV programme and comedy chat show Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned. Together they penned the lyrics for the 1996 English football anthem, 'Three Lions', performed by The Lightening Seeds. Frank is the host of his eponymous and highly popular TV comedy chat show, Frank Skinner's Opinionated.