Lost and Found: My Story

by Lynda Bellingham

'Looking back, perhaps the single biggest problem was fear. Fear of failure, fear of other people - but mostly fear of myself. It has taken many years to discover who I really am. It's never too late to find yourself, however lost you may be'. In Lynda Bellingham's blisteringly honest autobiography, the much-loved actress and Loose Women panellist reveals the truth about her life, including her search for her birth mother, only to lose her again to Alzheimer's, and her many years married to an abusive man while playing the 'nation's mum' in the Oxo ads. But Lynda never lost her sense of humour, and among the darker moments she recalls hilarious anecdotes from her time on stage and screen. "Lost and Found" is an inspiring story of getting through the tough times with the strong spirit of a survivor, and finally finding true love.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography

384 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2010

Reviews

[Steve Cann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so lovely to read Lynda's life story - & it's told with all the humour, vibrancy and honesty of the lady herself.
It's all the more poignant now of course, following her sad death from bowel cancer back in 2014. She's managed to write a second autobiog (to take up the story where this one leaves off in 2011), to tell the story of her fight with cancer - & I will most definitely be reading that next.

This book though is a thorough warts-and-all study of her colourful & fascinating life - right from her early adoption by a British couple in Canada, her career as an actor, & through all three of her marriages, emerging happy & content with life by the end.

It came as quite a shock to me to hear about the unfortunate situation with her second marriage, & it's all credit to her that she was been able to smile & keep her head held high through the trials & tribulations that this caused her during the years at the height of her fame as the 'Oxo mum'.

This is an intriguing & highly-absorbing book from one of our country's most-loved public figures, & extremely hard to put down as she draws you into her life story in such a refreshingly honest & heartfelt way. Lynda was a remarkable woman, full of life & fun, & this book stands a great testament to someone who will most definitely always be remembered with great love, affection and respect.

[LindyLouMac · Rating 4 out of 5]

An actress whose work I have followed with interest over the years so although I do not normally read many autobiographies when this was recommended by a friend I decided to give it a go. This autobiography is an interesting and sometimes raw account of Lynda Bellingham's life. Where with brutal honesty she shares her life experiences, adoption, sexual appetite and the mental abuse she suffered till she found herself and happiness at the age of sixty. Her warm personality and much needed sense of humour show through in her writing.

At times this book is a little harrowing with some strong language, at least she has not written about a sugar coated dream life but a horribly realistic one. Lynda Bellingham is a very strong woman who has written about surviving the tough times she has already faced and sadly is now currently facing another major obstacle in her life in the form of cancer. Wishing her all the best in this latest battle which she is struggling to overcome.

I would recommend Lost and Found My Story to fans of this actress if you can face the home truths she writes about.

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[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was Ok, however I did feel it was very self centered, and nothing was her fault. I know she has been through an awful lot and the abuse was certainly not her fault but especially the covering on her Mum was very biased. I didn't like the fact she said her mother lived a selfish life, that actually annoyed me quite a bit.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was lovely to read the life of a well known actress and also the struggles they have too, when seeing them in tv they are all smiles so you forget that they are only human too and face all the emotions of everyday day life, a god book that is definitely worth a read

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynda Bellingham led such a fascinating life, however with sadness in her personal/romantic life. I appreciated the ironic title considering the author's having been adopted.
For me the horror was finding out exactly halfway through the book that the author is no longer living. At this point in 2023 she has been "gone" 9 years! How did I miss that? Perhaps because, though an excellent actress and a uniquely exotic beauty, Bellingham always traveled just under the radar.
Very sad loss for thespians and t.v. viewers .

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this biography as I always liked Lynda. She was born in 1948 and lived in different times.
I found her voice in the book individual and down to earth. She loved cooking.
Loved finding out about the people she knew and loved. She was descriptive, like a novel.

[Julia Ibbotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting autobiography of a well loved actress and TV personality. I was prompted to read this now because of the tragic circumstances of her death. This memoir covers her early days, childhood, adoption, growing up and entry into the world of drama up to her later days. I am embarking now on her last book on her final struggle with cancer. I have vaguely followed Lynda's career with interest since we bumped in to her on the street in Crewe in 1969/70 (?) having just come out of the theatre where we had seen her on stage in one of the Doctor comedies. She was just starting out in her career at that time, but she seemed friendly, kind and humorous. This memoir is a no-holds-barred, painfully honest account of her life, and one which is difficult to read at times. She was certainly not the homely mum of the Oxo commercials, but I can believe that the world of the theatre and film was promiscuous, brutal, fleeting, drunken, shallow and as superficial as she describes it. Not comfortable reading, but interesting nonetheless. Above it all there is lasting friendship and support, humour and kindliness.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this quite an interesting read. I only know her from being the OXO mum and being in All Creatures Great and small when I was younger. More recently she appears on a lunch time chat show and in the West End in Calender girls. She recounts tales from all these and more. She had quite a tough married life in her previous two marriages- and hope she has found real happiness now with Mr Spain.

[Carol Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't expecting much when someone suggested this book to me but I was very surprised to say I really liked it.
Linda Bellingham gives us a very honest and at some times harrowing story of her life, from her adoption as a baby to her growing up and her joining the world of showbiz. A thoroughly good read.

[Joanne Lidford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this again, a few years after first reading it and a week after Lynda's untimely death, seriously couldn't put it down, unfortunately she was proved right in that she had success then something would go wrong, a must read which I have insisted my nearly 17 year old son reads, a truly magnificent lady.

[Claire Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great insight into Lynda Bellinghams life. Very open & honest. A great lady with lots of enthusiasm & energy for everything she did. She also had some tuff times too & I was shocked when I realised her marriage to Nunzio was not good at all. Thank goodness she met Mr Spain. What a lovely man. They made a great couple. A great read & I would recommend this book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting autobiography which ends in 2009, before her cancer diagnosis. I hadn't realised the extent of her battle with alcohol, nor the mental abuse she suffered during her marriage to Nunzio. A great story, made poignant by her recent death. I will definitely read the new book, as her irreverent humour made me laugh out loud and I'm sure the second book will be no different.

[Kath · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a poignant read as I read it after her most recent book. In this one, written before her cancer diagnosis, she ended up looking forward to the future and hoping good times lay ahead. It was a very honest, warts and all occasionally hedonistic account and she certainly lived life to the full.

[Linda Amos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an eye-opened. She's not shy in telling it as it was. Although there are a few swear words they are not gratuitous. She seems to have had great fun throughout her career. Onward to the next book.

[Maggie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read - looking forward to reading Lynda's fiction novel when its published ?2012

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book what an amazing inspirational lady

[Lazy Cornish Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read.

[Abigail Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking read, I loved her brutal honesty and she worked extremely hard for what she wanted.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read - a touching, sad and funny book about how Lynda dealt with her diagnosis

[Emma Padden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read, honest account that covers adoption,sexual desire, mental abuse

[Tina Ambury · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent and very bloody funny