The Happy Hoofer

by Celia Imrie

One of the UK's favorite comedy actresses—with starring roles in Calendar Girls , Acorn Antiques , and Dinnerladies— tells her extraordinary and highly entertaining life story. Celia Imrie was born one of five children to an aristocratic mother who married beneath her station. Desperate to be a ballet dancer, Celia was told by the Royal Ballet School that she was too big and in a desperate effort to lose weight Celia became anorexic. She underwent highly controversial ECT and brainwashing treatment. It didn't work and she eventually cured herself.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Audiobook, Memoir, Humor, British Literature

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

Celia Imrie is an English actress.

Reviews

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to find out what an actor’s life is really like, this is the book. The cliché, “There are no small parts, only small actors” has never been so true. Celia Imrie is mostly known in the United States for her two-episode role as Claudia Bing in “Absolutely Fabulous”, playing the conniving stepmother-to-be in “Nanny McPhee” and being part of large ensembles in films such as “Calendar Girls”, “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and “Cranford”. In the UK she is a household word, notable for work on the stage and screens big and small. (Victoria Wood is criminally unknown in the States, even among the gays, so Imrie’s most famous role as Miss Babs in “Acorn Antiques” also remains obscure.) Despite her success, she presents herself as a humble and uncomplicated person. She takes every role seriously, whether it is reading an audiobook, doing interviews, creating a role for the stage, tackling a classic, or committing to a grueling location shoot. In her later years the work is obviously quite steady. In the beginning of her career one gets a full sense of the vicissitudes of an actor’s life, going from triumph to unemployment, from a world tour with Glenda Jackson in “Hedda Gabler” to a pantomime chorus in Darby. She describes the competitive spirit between actors, and also the camaraderie. She gives every part her all, sometimes to comic effect. Midway through the book I happened to watch “Death on the Nile” (1978) and saw her in the background as one of the maids at the manor. I’m not sure I would have noticed her were I not reading the book, but there she was, practically smiling at the camera, begging to be seen. She seems awfully fun to be around. I have to admit that I did not actually read the book. I listened to the audiobook, read by Ms. Imrie herself. Such a warm, lovely voice, and she does great impersonations. She describes people, places and situations so well that I feel like I was there myself. She tells stories so well that it does not matter whether she is a superstar or not. I was sad to finish the book, but I will probably pop in for another visit sometime soon.

[Anne Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Celia Imrie, the actress. She always seems to have a mischievous look on her face. She's also very talented and well able to take on serious roles as well as her trademark witty and light-hearted roles. Yet, as this book proves, her road to fame has not always been easy. Her initial ambition to be a dancer and when she was turned down by the Royal Ballet School because she was too big, she became anorexic. This resulted in being incarcerated in an inhumane mental institution. Later in life, she twice had brushes with death which has given her an increased zest for life and this drives her ever onward. This is an entertaining, amusing and often hilariously funny autobiography, one of the best I've ever read.

[Miki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed anything with Celia in it and read the books with relish as they are very funny. I came across this and enjoyed listening to her read it. I never knew that she had been in so many things! This is a very entertaining book, warts and all.

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite like Celia Imrie but found after reading her story, unusually for an autobiography, I thought less of her

[Barry Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Acclaimed actress of stage, screen and television, Celia Imrie originally wanted to study ballet but a letter from The Royal Academy Of Dance saying that she was "too big" to ever be a ballet dancer sent her on a downward spiral of eating disorders and psychological trauma that only ended when she was fourteen and determined to prove her tormentors wrong by not dying. She switched her focus to acting and in a snakes and ladders career played everything from Panto, stage roles and parts in most of the large British TV shows (Doc Martin, Love & Marriage, Dr. Who, Cranford, Kingdom, Poirot, Marple, Absolutely Fabulous, Midsomer Murders, Upstairs Downstairs, Dalziel And Pascoe, Lovejoy) to film roles in things like a "Hedda Gabler" world tour with Glenda Jackson, "Cloud House," "A Dark Adapted Eye," "Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit," "The Borrowers," "Love In A Cold Climate," "Calendar Girls," "Nanny McPhee," "St. Trinians," "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel," "You Will Meet A Tall Dark Stranger," "The Road To Coronation Street," and many others.

Once, she demonstrated the mysteries of casting when a casting director, having seen her on stage in a Harold Pinter play with Pinter himself opposite her cast her in a bit part as a fighter pilot in "Stars Wars: The Phantom Menace."

My personal favorites are her role as the designer, Fadge, in "In The Bleak Midwinter" (also known as "A Midwinter's Tale") with Michael Maloney and Joan Collins in writer/director Kenneth Brannagh's hilarious tale of a small theatre company doing Hamlet in the middle of winter, and Michelle Marber, the eccentric amateur detective in an episode of "Inspector Lewis."

Her writing is packed with rollicking humour, bizarre and intriguing theatrical anecdotes, and tales of high adventure. A great showbiz memoir!

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many Brits of my age, Celia Imrie is inextricably linked to the work of the late great Victoria Wood, appearing in As Seen On TV (including the classic Two Soups sketch) and - one of my favourite Wood pieces from which I still regularly quote - Val de Ree (Ha ha ha ha ha).

But Imrie has had a long and varied career on both stage and screen, and The Happy Hoofer reveals the slog of the acting business along with the highs, as well as the personal challenges she's faced along the way. It's written in a warm and open style that I found quite endearing.

[Natasha Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could Celia be any more the English bohemian actress? Nope, that's exactly what she is, she reads this book beautifully on audio books.

[Joesmithallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Celia untie and this book was filled with humour, hope and lovely distractions and stories! What a gem 💎

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed watching Celia Imrie's performances and she really is an excellent actress.

This book is an interesting peek into her life and most especially the work she has done over the years.

I found it most fascinating when she was talking about the positive experiences she'd had with other great names from the entertainment industry. Glenda Jackson's generosity, Dame Judy's cheekiness and Colin Firth's quick wittedness.

I also found the section about her health scares and recovery very encouraging, she was aware of her need to take the time to heal, and she actually did it, although not perhaps as soon as she could have, which she also acknowledges. Her explanation of the mental healing was very enlightened.

She is always a joy to listen to and her voice acting skills are marvellous.

As mentioned a very enjoyable listen and I will certainly look out for more of her books.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not read many autobiographies but I was curious to learn more about a favourite actress. What a strong spirited woman Celia Imrie is and funny as well a great combination. As a great fan of her work I laughed my way through much of her autobiography, hers has not always an easy life either. Recommended to her fans and to those that are not especially but want to know more behind the person, reading this may well change their opinion of this talented and delightful lady.

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[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celia Imrie (2011) THE HAPPY HOOFER (AUDIOBOOK)
Audible - Audible, Inc.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 out of 5 stars

Audible writes, "One of our best-loved actresses, Celia Imrie would rather have been a dancer. As a child she planned to join the Royal Ballet and marry Rudolf Nureyev. Now she has become one of our finest and funniest performers, on stage, TV and screen - adored for her roles in 'Acorn Antiques' and 'dinnerladies', as well as films including 'Calendar Girls' and 'Nanny McPhee'. In her hugely entertaining autobiography, Celia Imrie recounts a life hurtling (not always intentionally) into adventures both on stage and off. Whether it's finding herself on stage with half the scenery stuck to her cardigan, or being kidnapped on her way to location, she somehow emerges from the chaos that can lie in her wake almost unscathed. Acting, she admits, is a mad, chaotic profession and it is her refreshing honesty, sense of mischief, fun and almost unruffled determination in the face of it all that makes this autobiography a never-ending delight."
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What a life! The message is basically this - Life is for living!
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[Neil Fulwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imrie’s career delineates quite neatly between stage and screen, and between serious (almost imperious) dramatic roles and broad comedy. As the title of her winningly conversational autobiography suggests, dance was her first love, but a crushing rejection (“she’s too large”) both put paid to her ballerina aspirations and led to youthful body dysmorphia issues, the latter leading to unconventional psychological treatment at the hands of the soon-to-be notorious William Sargant. More drama is to come: an obsessive stalker, a kidnapping attempt, a near-fatal embolism; but Imrie’s frothy humour and defiantly spirited approach to life shine through no matter what. I’ve always admired her as an actor; now having read her memoir I’m convinced that Celia Imrie would be an awesome person to have a pint with.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good! I enjoyed this as I like Celia Imrie as an actor and was interested in her autobiography, even though I'm not a great reader of this sort of thing.

She obviously has a great sense of humour and little sparkles came through in the telling of various parts she'd played, people she'd worked with and bits of her experience. I suppose most autobiography comes through as a sort of progression of, I did this and that happened, or a funny thing happened then, etc., and after about half way through, that was becoming more apparent to me. I read on. She's certainly an actor who's had an interesting and full career!!!

So, thank you Celia for the re-telling which I liked! I loved dinnerladies and the film, Finding your Feet, a favourite of mine, being of an age with the characters now!!!!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I anticipated Celia Imrie's book to be a light hearted listen, but how wrong I was. The narration may be delightfully gentle, but, my goodness, what a life!

Imrie holds nothing back about her experiences (except the odd real name here and there), going into depth about her background, family, dark and sunny times, romantic attachments, and every role up to her part in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

There are many shocking and salacious moments, alongside lovely anecdotes about her personal life, and as an actor on stage, tv, and the big screen. There are fabulous travelogue sections too that had me laughing out loud.

She is a marvellous narrator, full of wit, and I hung on her every word. I was sad to reach the end of this one.

[Reason Restored · Rating 3 out of 5]

Passably interesting in a coffee with an acquaintance sort of a way.
I’ve always enjoyed Celia as a comedy actress, and perhaps because of the work she’s done and who with (e.g. Victoria Wood) I felt I would really connect with her when I read her autobio. I didn’t.
It’s passably interesting in a chatty, friendly way. But tbh, I came away liking her a little less. She lacks a little self-awareness (in fairness something she alludes to at least in part) but what surprised me was her rather limited world view. Travel doesn’t seem to have educated or broadened her mind. Easy listening, but strange to come away feeling a little less warm to her than previously.

[Alice Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always had a curious idea that I would get on with Celia Imrie dispite knowing nothing about her. Reading this book I now know I would. The moment she started talking about the devil entering her soul as she was naughty for the sheer hell of it I knew she was a kindred.
A beautifully written autobiography - perfect mix of stories of life and details of career. You honestly wouldn't believe what's she's been up to and what she's been put through. Highly recommended.

[Andrew Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this to make up a two-for-one deal, as one of those books that are out of my ordinary reading orbit - and I quite enjoyed it. Imrie canters through her life and career, packing the book with anecdotes from her time treading the boards - and film sets - of Britain (and, occasionally, beyond). A light but enjoyable read.

[Mark Ludmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told in her distinctive voice, Celia Imrie’s autobiography is full of wry humour and mischief with delightful anecdotes and some surprising revelations. A treat for anyone who enjoys actor biographies.

[Julie Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this whilst decorating and really enjoyed it. It’s a very frank account of an actors life, warts and all. Celia was not at all what I was expecting and I shall try to be a bit more Celia. There nothing ‘grey cardigan’ about her life. Fabulous.

[Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

sorry to say "DULL AS DISH WATER"

[Peter Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very entertaining and informative autobiography by a funny, talented woman.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a WI book group choice. Certainly has an eventful life. Has worked with so many stars.

[Marilyn Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting

[Harry Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a great lady

I have always admired this lady beauty and a wicked sense of humour do not often go together,she has them both.S to reach the end

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Angela Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a Life!
Listened to this, and she narrated it.
A very interesting Life. Though some of it seems like a list a famous people, but that's the life she has led .

[Polly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off interesting but by the end I realized she'd turned into quite a boring person.

[Julie A Morrissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy Celia, you'll certainly enjoy ready this personally written biography of hers. It's funny. It's sad. It's an honest account. I enjoyed it.

[Sara Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing autobiography. Could hear Celia reading it, which pulled me into her life more. Fascinating about her son and relationship with hus dad.

[Dannielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed listening to Celia’s chaotic and interesting life. What an incredible woman!