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Face the Music: My Story
The intimate and uplifting memoir from one of Britain's most loved singers - this is Alfie, off stage.
Bringing his characteristic sense of cheeky humour to the page, in this heartfelt book Alfie describes for the first time the highs and lows of over a decade singing and performing across the world. From personal dinners with Queen Elizabeth II and following in the steps of King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis in Vegas to mischievous antics with Michael Ball, Alfie's book takes us backstage to witness his brilliant career memories.
But this book is also a heartfelt insight to Alfie's unmasked truth for the first time ever. His unflinching honesty reveals not only the success stories, but also the pressures and how, through challenging times, he learned more about himself than he ever thought possible.
Laying bare the events that have shaped Alfie into the performer he is today, Face the Music demonstrates to us all that it's not our mistakes that define us - but instead, how we choose to come back from them.
Bringing his characteristic sense of cheeky humour to the page, in this heartfelt book Alfie describes for the first time the highs and lows of over a decade singing and performing across the world. From personal dinners with Queen Elizabeth II and following in the steps of King of Rock 'n' Roll Elvis in Vegas to mischievous antics with Michael Ball, Alfie's book takes us backstage to witness his brilliant career memories.
But this book is also a heartfelt insight to Alfie's unmasked truth for the first time ever. His unflinching honesty reveals not only the success stories, but also the pressures and how, through challenging times, he learned more about himself than he ever thought possible.
Laying bare the events that have shaped Alfie into the performer he is today, Face the Music demonstrates to us all that it's not our mistakes that define us - but instead, how we choose to come back from them.
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 26, 2024
32 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Alfie Boe
4 books5 followersAlfred Giovanni Roncalli Boe, known professionally initially as Alf or Alfred Boe and now as Alfie Boe, is an English tenor.
Boe, the youngest in a family of nine children, was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and brought up in nearby Fleetwood. He attended St Wulstan's and St Edmund's School and Cardinal Allen Roman Catholic High School in Fleetwood. His earliest musical memories were of listening to his father's Richard Tauber records and at the age of 11 he discovered Puccini's La bohème for the first time.
Boe's wife Sarah is an actress whom he met whilst in America. They have one daughter, named Grace, who was born on 9 May 2008. Their second child Alfie was born on 1 January 2012.
Boe, the youngest in a family of nine children, was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, and brought up in nearby Fleetwood. He attended St Wulstan's and St Edmund's School and Cardinal Allen Roman Catholic High School in Fleetwood. His earliest musical memories were of listening to his father's Richard Tauber records and at the age of 11 he discovered Puccini's La bohème for the first time.
Boe's wife Sarah is an actress whom he met whilst in America. They have one daughter, named Grace, who was born on 9 May 2008. Their second child Alfie was born on 1 January 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
October 22, 2023
Straight from the heart ...the ups and downs of his life on and off the stage.
Worth reading.
Worth reading.
March 11, 2024
I like Alfie Boe so this was a great insight into his life. Very open about his struggles. Enjoyed it.
August 7, 2025
Reading Face the Music by Alfie Boe felt like sitting down for a long, emotional, and inspiring chat with a true icon. This memoir isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look into the world of music and performance — it’s a deeply human story of resilience, family, vulnerability, and pure love for the craft.
From the working-class streets of Fleetwood to centre stage in the West End and Broadway, Alfie shares his journey with honesty, humour, and humility. What struck me most is how real he is — there’s no sugar-coating or diva behaviour here. Just passion, raw talent, and a man who never forgot where he came from.
Of course, the standout chapters (for me!) were all about Les Misérables. As my all-time favourite musical, it was a dream to read Alfie’s reflections on playing Jean Valjean — a role he was absolutely born to play. He shares intimate moments about what that role meant to him, the physical and emotional toll it took, and how deeply connected he felt to “Bring Him Home” — a song that continues to move audiences to tears.
“When I sang ‘Bring Him Home’ for the first time on stage, I knew something had changed in me. I was no longer just performing — I was feeling every single note.”
That quote gave me chills.
Alfie talks about the 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena with awe — just as fans saw it, he lived it. His gratitude toward Les Mis and its power to connect people across generations radiates off the page.
The book also dives into his operatic training, his unlikely start working in a car factory, his collaborations with legends like Michael Ball (another Les Mis gem), and personal struggles — including moments where he considered walking away from it all. It’s touching and raw, especially when he speaks about his family, his mental health, and the vulnerability that comes with being in the spotlight.
“Music saved me. Again and again, it pulled me out of the dark and reminded me who I am.”
Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to Alfie's story, Face the Music is powerful, heartfelt, and full of behind-the-scenes gold. It reminds us of the magic of theatre, the importance of perseverance, and why Alfie Boe continues to be one of the most beloved voices in the industry.
I closed the book feeling inspired, emotional — and immediately reached for the Les Mis 25th Anniversary Concert to rewatch every glorious moment. Thank you, Alfie, for sharing your voice and your truth with us.
Encore, please.
From the working-class streets of Fleetwood to centre stage in the West End and Broadway, Alfie shares his journey with honesty, humour, and humility. What struck me most is how real he is — there’s no sugar-coating or diva behaviour here. Just passion, raw talent, and a man who never forgot where he came from.
Of course, the standout chapters (for me!) were all about Les Misérables. As my all-time favourite musical, it was a dream to read Alfie’s reflections on playing Jean Valjean — a role he was absolutely born to play. He shares intimate moments about what that role meant to him, the physical and emotional toll it took, and how deeply connected he felt to “Bring Him Home” — a song that continues to move audiences to tears.
“When I sang ‘Bring Him Home’ for the first time on stage, I knew something had changed in me. I was no longer just performing — I was feeling every single note.”
That quote gave me chills.
Alfie talks about the 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 Arena with awe — just as fans saw it, he lived it. His gratitude toward Les Mis and its power to connect people across generations radiates off the page.
The book also dives into his operatic training, his unlikely start working in a car factory, his collaborations with legends like Michael Ball (another Les Mis gem), and personal struggles — including moments where he considered walking away from it all. It’s touching and raw, especially when he speaks about his family, his mental health, and the vulnerability that comes with being in the spotlight.
“Music saved me. Again and again, it pulled me out of the dark and reminded me who I am.”
Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to Alfie's story, Face the Music is powerful, heartfelt, and full of behind-the-scenes gold. It reminds us of the magic of theatre, the importance of perseverance, and why Alfie Boe continues to be one of the most beloved voices in the industry.
I closed the book feeling inspired, emotional — and immediately reached for the Les Mis 25th Anniversary Concert to rewatch every glorious moment. Thank you, Alfie, for sharing your voice and your truth with us.
Encore, please.
October 27, 2023
Alfie Boe writes from the heart, of his early life in Fleetwood, England and the love of music he inherited from his father. Although he has achieved incredible success in his career, in "Face the Music" he writes of the struggles he encountered trying to balance both his working and his home life.
These pressures eventually led to the breakdown of his marriage and separation from his two children which he clearly adores.
On reaching rock bottom, Alfie had to face his demons in a detox facility and rehab. He shares these highs and lows with his readers, and the tools that have aided his recovery, including writing songs about his journey, the importance of a network of supportive friends and family, plus other more unconventional tools that include ayahuasca, used by indigenous people in sacred ceremonies.
I particularly enjoyed reading of these shamanic experiences and the setting of an intention, journeying within and connecting with his emotions.
Never one to do anything in half measures, Alfie also writes of his time spent with Wim Hof for a BBC production "Freeze the Fear," of swimming under ice and other extreme feats of endurance.
I applaud his honesty in sharing his journey, which I am certain will aid others on their path to healing.
These pressures eventually led to the breakdown of his marriage and separation from his two children which he clearly adores.
On reaching rock bottom, Alfie had to face his demons in a detox facility and rehab. He shares these highs and lows with his readers, and the tools that have aided his recovery, including writing songs about his journey, the importance of a network of supportive friends and family, plus other more unconventional tools that include ayahuasca, used by indigenous people in sacred ceremonies.
I particularly enjoyed reading of these shamanic experiences and the setting of an intention, journeying within and connecting with his emotions.
Never one to do anything in half measures, Alfie also writes of his time spent with Wim Hof for a BBC production "Freeze the Fear," of swimming under ice and other extreme feats of endurance.
I applaud his honesty in sharing his journey, which I am certain will aid others on their path to healing.
October 17, 2023
This is an intimate and heartfelt memoir from one of the UK’s favourite singers, Alfie Boe.
Whilst the memoir does cover some of Alfie’s younger days and his starting out in show business, the majority of it is written about his later life.
Face the Music brings Alfie’s cheekiness to the page, but it also addresses a much darker side, being anxiety and depression. As many of Alfie’s fans know, Alfie was admitted to a treatment centre following the break-up of his marriage. Suffering from anxiety and depression are never easy subjects to write (or talk) about, but being in the public eye, makes you somewhat more vulnerable. I think that words such as anxiety and depression are bantered about far too easily nowadays, so it was refreshing to read about mental health issues from a male perspective and listen to Alfie’s genuine struggle with life.
A surprisingly honest memoir, which I listened to on audiobook, as it was read by Alfie himself. We are all human, whether we are in the public eye or not. We all suffer at one time or other and we all make mistakes. Face the Music illustrates that it is how we come back from those mistakes that truly define who we are.
Whilst the memoir does cover some of Alfie’s younger days and his starting out in show business, the majority of it is written about his later life.
Face the Music brings Alfie’s cheekiness to the page, but it also addresses a much darker side, being anxiety and depression. As many of Alfie’s fans know, Alfie was admitted to a treatment centre following the break-up of his marriage. Suffering from anxiety and depression are never easy subjects to write (or talk) about, but being in the public eye, makes you somewhat more vulnerable. I think that words such as anxiety and depression are bantered about far too easily nowadays, so it was refreshing to read about mental health issues from a male perspective and listen to Alfie’s genuine struggle with life.
A surprisingly honest memoir, which I listened to on audiobook, as it was read by Alfie himself. We are all human, whether we are in the public eye or not. We all suffer at one time or other and we all make mistakes. Face the Music illustrates that it is how we come back from those mistakes that truly define who we are.
January 17, 2024
Poignant and reflective memoir from Alfie Boe. I’d read Michael Ball’s and I expected it to be similar but this is much deeper and very personal. Alfie talks fondly about his Sad and the grief he felt when he died. His mum who brought him up as one of 9 kids and his sad divorce from Sarah who it sounds like he still adores. His kids live with their mum and he seems broken at times talking about the split. But the most raw and candid part of this book is his openness about his depression and addiction. I never realised he’d been in rehab and was in such a dark place. It’s compelling reading for anyone struggling with mental health. He may have the world at his feet on stage but there’s so much underneath. Well done Alfie on a very personal and honest memoir. Denise x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
A small story of Alfie's life featuring some snippets of his career over the years.
I thought this was a deeply personal story, as it also featured the breakdown of his marriage. Truly honest and open, I didn't expect that such a personal part of his life would be featured in a book about his life, I assumed it would all be about his career so it was a very brave thing to publish in a book, but he does it with grace and even admits his own faults to the breakdown of his marriage.
I really enjoyed this story, it was a fairly quick read for me.
I thought this was a deeply personal story, as it also featured the breakdown of his marriage. Truly honest and open, I didn't expect that such a personal part of his life would be featured in a book about his life, I assumed it would all be about his career so it was a very brave thing to publish in a book, but he does it with grace and even admits his own faults to the breakdown of his marriage.
I really enjoyed this story, it was a fairly quick read for me.
September 17, 2023
A refreshingly honest and moving book. Hats off for raising men's mental health issues in this book and being honest with his own mental health struggles.
I learnt lots about Alfie and really enjoyed this read.
A good insight into Vegas, his relationship to Michael Ball, and Les Mis.
Lovely and thoughtful.
I learnt lots about Alfie and really enjoyed this read.
A good insight into Vegas, his relationship to Michael Ball, and Les Mis.
Lovely and thoughtful.
October 16, 2023
Fascinating read as Alfie recounts lots of stories along the way in his career (including time with the Queen!) throughout the first half of the book. It really picks up in the second half, however, when Alfie shares more about his personal journey, its ups and downs, and how he has navigated it all. It was an easy and enjoyable read, taking about 4 hours.
January 14, 2024
I’m not entirely sure what I expected from this book. I am a huge admirer of Alfie Boe so I was initially disappointed that the book wasn’t thicker. But as you can see I read it in 2 days!! I found the second half of the book much more impacting than the first and for that alone, for me, it was well worth reading.
February 12, 2024
Interesting read. I devoured this because I love Alfie Boe as a singer, and wanted to know more about him. However, the writing wasn’t the best I’ve ever read and a lot of the stories I couldn’t connect with because I’m definitely not the intended audience for the book. A very raw novel but I’m glad I read it.
February 24, 2024
What can I say? I loved this book and highly recommended it to any Alfie fan.
I cried and laughed many times throughout, but I also found some sort of comfort from reading it. There's something reassuring to know celebrities can also suffer with stage fright and nerves too, and that maybe it's possible to overcome something when you put your mind to it.
I cried and laughed many times throughout, but I also found some sort of comfort from reading it. There's something reassuring to know celebrities can also suffer with stage fright and nerves too, and that maybe it's possible to overcome something when you put your mind to it.
October 23, 2024
Wow, what can I say? This is the best book I have read. Alfie is so open and incredibly honest about his struggles. You think “stars” have a wonderful time breezing through life, but Alfie shows this isn’t always the case.
Yes, he has done some amazing things and met some very interesting people, but for me his honesty about his personal struggles impressed me so much.
A great read.
Yes, he has done some amazing things and met some very interesting people, but for me his honesty about his personal struggles impressed me so much.
A great read.
April 14, 2025
Been listening to a chapter of this every night before bed.
Wow. Heartbreaking & heartwarming.
I could listen to Alfie sing all day but listening to his voice telling his story was so calming. So honest, real & raw. I already knew parts of his story but this went a lot more in depth.
I need to listen to memoirs more often, I used to read them a lot!
Wow. Heartbreaking & heartwarming.
I could listen to Alfie sing all day but listening to his voice telling his story was so calming. So honest, real & raw. I already knew parts of his story but this went a lot more in depth.
I need to listen to memoirs more often, I used to read them a lot!
September 19, 2025
I listened to the audiobook of this, I had to of course as it’s narrated by the man himself.
Boe singing ‘Bring Him Home’ always brings me to tears, so I loved listening about his Les Mis times and of course his friendship with Ball, I’ve seen them live a few times and I have always loved their concerts.
It was also interesting to learn about the ups and downs in his personal live. ❤️.
Boe singing ‘Bring Him Home’ always brings me to tears, so I loved listening about his Les Mis times and of course his friendship with Ball, I’ve seen them live a few times and I have always loved their concerts.
It was also interesting to learn about the ups and downs in his personal live. ❤️.
March 4, 2024
This was a really interesting read. I only know Alfie Boe through his collaborations with Michael Ball, so I loved getting to know a bit more about him. He manages to take ownership of mistakes he's made, without being "woe is me" about it, and shows the reality of getting a life back on track.
September 30, 2023
Beautifully vulnerable!❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. You are an incredible man with an incredible family.
Here’s hoping that true love finds you again!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are an incredible man with an incredible family.
Here’s hoping that true love finds you again!
October 4, 2023
Surprisingly honest and vulnerable but still a sense of not taking himself too seriously.
October 17, 2023
I found this very moving and honest and made me think a lot about mental health issues. Very powerful
October 30, 2023
he is honest in this book but i feel he could have been more honest regarding the troubles with his marriage
December 9, 2023
This memoir is written from the heart about his young life, musical career and the very sad end to his marriage
January 8, 2024
A well written memoir which I felt came from the heart.
March 3, 2024
An ok read, interesting at times.
March 12, 2024
I love that Alfie Boe told his own story and did the narration himself. An interesting and touching heartfelt story that is also inspiring.
April 9, 2024
An emotional read about Alfie Boe’s life , both public and private. His struggles with depression and addiction tug at the heart strings. Read it in a day!
April 15, 2024
This is one of the best biographies I have read.
Thank you Alfie for being so honest and sharing yout story and struggles. I am sure your story will touch many people in many different ways.
Thank you Alfie for being so honest and sharing yout story and struggles. I am sure your story will touch many people in many different ways.
September 14, 2024
Enjoyable but felt ever so slightly stilted, somehow. Sad to read about his mental health issues over the last few years. An interesting read but very whistle stop.
April 28, 2025
Absolutely loved it - thank you for sharing 🥰
August 2, 2025
AMAZING!!!
August 11, 2025
read this for my mum. do you hear the people sing and all that
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews