Backing into the Spotlight: A Memoir

by Michael Whitehall

'Backing into the Spotlight is a hilarious and an unashamedly non-PC memoir . . . Now in his eighth decade, Whitehall is a fine raconteur, gloriously unreconstructed and still deeply suspicious of modernity' Daily Mail

Standing in front of a full-length mirror in my dressing room at ITV studios, waiting to go on to the set of Backchat, I had a brief conversation with my reflection.

'Michael, what the f*** do you think you're doing?'

Theatrical agent Michael Whitehall spent a career pushing others into the spotlight. He had been involved behind the scenes with the careers of many prominent actors, including Colin Firth, Richard Griffiths, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tom Courtenay, Ian Ogilvy, Judi Dench, Edward Fox, Michael Fassbender, Angela Thorne and Nigel Havers.

But then, much to his surprise, his son Jack becomes a successful comedian and actor and decides that his new comedy partner should be his father. Whitehall Snr. finds himself reluctantly appearing on stage and then television, cast as the archetypal grumpy old man and thrust, in his early seventies, into a whole new career in front of the camera. Minor fame comes at a sedate pace: one of the highlights being a record £300,000 win for charity with Jack on Channel 4's The Million Pound Drop.

In this enchanting memoir Whitehall looks back on his life, from growing up in suburban London in the 1940s and '50s with his saintly father and social climbing-mother, who coined the phrase 'à la carte' to describe people who were posher than she was and whose company she craved, to falling into a career as a successful theatrical agent and producer. As he says, 'Actors can be egotistical, greedy and vain, but they're not half as bad as agents and producers.'

Charming, gossipy and above all very funny, Backing Into The Spotlight is no ordinary show business memoir.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Comedy, British Literature

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2019

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pure delight!

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to in audio format.

I bought this audio book because I enjoy Michael Whitehall's waspish, dry sense of humour. Backing into the Spotlight was a funny memoir about his early years and his successful career as TV agent.

My favourite parts of the book were about Michael's parents Jack and his aspirational mother Nora. I laughed when Michael described how his mother used to get her hair done before she went to town (London) to shop. I also enjoyed the chapter about his old friend Richard Griffiths thoughtful and witty letters to his young Godson Jack when he was a toddler.

I recommend this funny read from the original Mr Entertainment.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book of 2022 did not disappoint. This was a gift from Chris because she knows how much I love Michael Whitehall. I could just hear his voice in my head recounting the stories of his years as a theatrical agent to the stars. There's plenty of name-dropping, funny anecdotes about celebrities along with personal stories and a very touching chapter about now-deceased actor Richard Griffiths (aka Mr Dursley). I enjoyed every minute of it .

[Nina Toberman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun book! I was laughing to the point of having my stomach hurt, and trying to be quiet as my husband was sleeping … I had to leave the room ! Love this book.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious, did not disappoint. I must admit that I'm very sad that I've finished the book because it was a joy to get through.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It took me a while to realise that Michael Whitehall had such s dry sense of humour when I saw him on the television, but when I eventually understood his humour, I knew I liked him a lot. I also felt I would like him if I were to meet him in real life.
This book, Backing Into the Spotlight, is a funny book, with several poignant parts in it, especially when Michael talks of Nora and Jack and eventually how Nora ended her days, but the humour that underlies all this is marvellous and carries the reader through to happier times in the author's life.

[Alex Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read. The chapter about the haircut had me in stitches.

[Apriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Whitehalls!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is hard to rate, as it is exactly the book I expected it to be - a funny memoir full of sarcasm and name-dropping... I just wanted it to have more substance. Starting out by talking about his parents, particularly his mother and her expectations, I thought this was going to be much more personal than it was. Michael takes great pains to tell us that the role he plays on TV is a caricature and this book reflects that... humour and stories about famous people being a mask he can hide behind once he touches on a story with any depth. I can't really complain, as it isn't far off what I was expecting, but it wasn't an enjoyable read/listen.

[Sharon Bandhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

So HIGHLY Recommended! What a Wonderful Renaissance Man He Is!

I've am a huge fan of "Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father" so had to read this. One can't help but be fond of how much of a curmudgeon Michael Whitehall is. That being said, his perspective on life is, shall we say, "unique." That's what I love about this book-- he shows us himself, no holes barred, & he is truly wonderful! I am a groupie of his! (But not in the sexual sense, ha, ha!) ~ Sharon Bandhold, Retired Librarian, Plattsburgh (NY) Public Library

[Lisa Macklem · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining listen - I love memoirs told by the author - and liked the addition of Hilary and Jack to do their own parts. As this isn't MW's first memoir, I think my mistake was jumping in to the second. Technically, I'd likely give this 3.5, but no such option, and I think the things that slightly irritated me are because I started in the middle as it were. Fun to get the "real" story on some of the Travels With goings on... will definitely try to find time for MW's others...

[Mark Kinver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the trip down the highly entertaining avenue of anecdotes and recollections. I was amazed by Rex Harrison’s C-bomb outburst (I hope he did not speak to the animals like that!), Michael’s light rinse in Fred’s salon, and his cunning use of Nigel Haver’s charms to shift a Hammersmith des-res. How the A La Carte live..!

[Katherine Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Jack Whitehall’s Travels With My Father. Michael is so incredibly funny with his dry, grumpy humor. I enjoyed listening to this with parts read by Michael, Jack and Hilary. I wish they’d do more books and more tv shows. Loved hearing about his childhood, career, marriage and of course his take on the show with Jack.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend reading! This is such a witty and amusing narration of Michael Whitehall's family and extensive career. I came across it due to The Travels with my Father's series and recommend that as well. Will be looking into the other Whitehall family books soon. Love the dialogue, phrasing and overall dry humor!

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this as and audiobook and admittedly it took me a little while to get into but Michael Whitehall won me over with his witty, grumpy delivery and his tales of Nigel Havers and others that he was agent for until his retirement. Just Brilliant a solid 3 stars

[Gabriel Souza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book with some very funny momments that makes you laugh out loud ... it was a smooth reading and interesting story for an unique human being as Michael... his way of thinking indeed makes me wonder that I want to be as him when I get an older( or I dare to say even nowadays ;) )

[Fon E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Backing into the spotlight by Michael Whitehall. Michael is father of comedian Jack, also a theatrical agent and producer and really, quite the wit in his own right. An easy, light hearted read full of amusing anecdotes.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining read which I very much enjoyed.

[Christine Bilfinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts were very funny.

[Andrew Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing. He has a better sense of humour than his comedian son. An entertaining read.

[Rob Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frivolous fun. It made me chuckle more than once. It is of no academic or literary merit but sometimes that is exactly what I want.

[Elexndra · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG love this!!

[Shanice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Vicki H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter than anticipated

[Megan Lohne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was hoping for more specifics on some of the deals he'd done but nonetheless an enjoyable retelling of a life representing actors.

[Lord Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Very interesting and gives you a nice view of things behind the scenes and the life of Michael. A great book written by a great man.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely laugh out loud hilarious.

[Kathryn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve listened to the podcast so I knew most of the goings on in the book

[Clarissa Brincat · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a funny memoir, this is it. But if you value political correctness, then it’s probably best you steer away from anything written by Michael Whitehall. I personally love his refusal to conform. Michael reflects on his upbringing and his mother’s obsession with “a la carte” society - her phrase for posh people. He tells about how he tried (and failed) at a long list of jobs, before becoming an agent-cum-producer, and how he reluctantly “backed into the spotlight” late in life. In another book, Michael’s son Jack mocked his father’s habit of name dropping famous friends and clients - this memoir is practically bursting with names! Michael also talks about his saintly wife, his musically untalented offspring, their godparents and his adventure in Asia with son Jack, among other things. All in all, this book was a treat.

[Karen Spence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and Michael tells his side well. I gave this three stars for several different reasons. Firstly, it is the least entertaining of the Whitehall books, secondly, it is his autobiography & this doesn't come across either in the blurb or the title and following on from that there is very little in the way of client stories and mishaps, which I am sure Michael could reel off and this would have been a bit more entertaining. I just imagine him dealing with divas in the 70's & this surely would have been a funnier rant.
There is a lot about his parents, Jack & Nora & her ambitions to move into upper social circles & everything was a la carte (which was funny given it actually means ordering individual dishes on a menu and means nothing about furniture lol). I didn't really care for any of this & it goes on a lot. Judging from this & that he was privately educated in the 50's it makes sense he is suspicious of modern technology & this is obviously evident in his later years. His flair for sarcasm does make a few recollections quite funny. He mentions his best friends, Nigel Havers & Richard Griffiths & from here it falters.
I felt the last part of the book, which I assume is Michael being in front of the camera doing 'Travels with my Father' instead of behind, fell a bit flat. There's very little substance to it aside from mentioning 'his family' & more than likely everyone will be familiar with the show. It came across to me Jack has a career taking the mick out of Michael but where & how long does that go?? It feels at times flogging a dead donkey & it feels "get the whole family out there, make a pretty penny & then I can retire....maybe.
In all honesty, I think I'm done with the Whitehalls now for a while. Nevertheless it's still a decent read but its forgettable.