Brian and Me: Life on - and Off - 'The Archers'

Description

Since 1975 Charles Collingwood has also been known as Brian Aldridge - 'the JR of Ambridge' - the upper-class charmer with more than a dash of naughty wickedness. Charles' alter-ego has kept him pretty busy, from affairs and illegitimate children, to ventures into the sausage business. His long-suffering on-air wife is Jennifer, but in reality his wife is also his co-star, Shula, played by Judy Bennett, who he met over 25 years ago. Actor, wit and bonviveur Charles Collingwood began his acting career after studying at RADA by working as an actor in rep theatre. In the mid-1970s he met Judy, who was already playing Shula in "The Archers", and the rest is history. Aside from his most famous alter-ego however, Charles has also appeared in television shows, from "Inspector Morse" and "Midsomer Murders" to Roger Roger and Noel Edmunds' "Telly Addicts", and has guested on several radio shows, including "Just a Minute" and "Quote Unquote". "Brian and Me" is the wonderfully funny and vibrant memoir of an allround entertainer.

Charles Collingwood played Brian Aldridge on The Archers and has also appeared on numerous other television and radio shows.

I have a wall of Archers books. This one is a classic, witty, wise and with just enough inside information and irony to keep the fictional and real worlds balanced -- Gillian Reynolds The Daily Telegraph When Steven Pile, reviewing for The Times, described Charles Collingwood as 'relentlessly anecdotal' he succinctly nailed this wonderful, witty raconteur... the man himself is warmly engaging in print The Lady The wonderfully funny and vibrant memoir of an all-round entertainer Edition Magazine