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Su Pollard: Fully Charged: Unique, Unadulterated and Utterly Unstoppable
UNIQUE, UNADULTERATED AND UTTERLY UNSTOPPABLE
The revealing and comical memoir of one of Britain’s most iconic stars of stage and screen, Su Pollard’s book chronicles an incredible career spanning over half a century
“Candid, witty, and refreshingly human. She’s survived the highs and lows of showbiz with humour intact and a cheeky twinkle in her eye. She delights audiences with her stories from the frontlines of entertainment. She’s unforgettable” - Christopher Biggins
Su Pollard celebrates over 50 years in showbusiness in this hilarious and moving memoir, capturing a wealth of stories from her years on screen and stage.
Born in Nottingham in 1949, Su, now 76, began acting aged six. As a teen, she paid her dues singing in working men’s clubs before a life-changing appearance on Opportunity Knocks, during which she was famously beaten by a singing Jack Russell. Her first major TV show was 1970s’ sitcom Two Up Two Down alongside Paul Nicholas, and she’s barely stopped since. Beloved for her roles in Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M’Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching!, Su has more than earned the title of national treasure.
With her wacky sense of fashion and cheeky innuendo-heavy humour, she is not only a stalwart of British pantomime, but she has continued to work in theatre, TV comedy and some of our biggest reality hits, including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity MasterChef, BBC’s Pilgrimage, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and Last Laugh in Vegas.
And, let’s not forget, her musical career - which includes leading roles in the West End in “Me and My Girl” and “Godspell”, a number 2 hit single, and a silver disc for her self-titled album! For every role she played, Su has a dozen madcap behind-the-scenes stories which will keep readers giggling all the way to the final page. She shares hilarious tales of her showbiz friendships with the likes of Ruth Madoc, Matthew Kelly, Paul Shane, Gloria Hunniford, Ray Meagher, and David Hasselhoff, and pulls back the curtain about what fame is really like.
Until now, Su has been very guarded about her personal life - but has decided it’s finally time to let fans see the real her, and talks about her marriage and her family relationships, the night she danced with Princess Diana, and the time Freddie Mercury asked for her autograph - making this one of the most engaging autobiographies of the year.
In writing the book Fully Charged, Su has collaborated with her friend and director Paul Boyd, writer of 26 musicals and dozens of plays, including Su's hit one-woman show Still Fully Charged, which she still tours across the country and internationally!
The revealing and comical memoir of one of Britain’s most iconic stars of stage and screen, Su Pollard’s book chronicles an incredible career spanning over half a century
“Candid, witty, and refreshingly human. She’s survived the highs and lows of showbiz with humour intact and a cheeky twinkle in her eye. She delights audiences with her stories from the frontlines of entertainment. She’s unforgettable” - Christopher Biggins
Su Pollard celebrates over 50 years in showbusiness in this hilarious and moving memoir, capturing a wealth of stories from her years on screen and stage.
Born in Nottingham in 1949, Su, now 76, began acting aged six. As a teen, she paid her dues singing in working men’s clubs before a life-changing appearance on Opportunity Knocks, during which she was famously beaten by a singing Jack Russell. Her first major TV show was 1970s’ sitcom Two Up Two Down alongside Paul Nicholas, and she’s barely stopped since. Beloved for her roles in Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M’Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching!, Su has more than earned the title of national treasure.
With her wacky sense of fashion and cheeky innuendo-heavy humour, she is not only a stalwart of British pantomime, but she has continued to work in theatre, TV comedy and some of our biggest reality hits, including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity MasterChef, BBC’s Pilgrimage, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and Last Laugh in Vegas.
And, let’s not forget, her musical career - which includes leading roles in the West End in “Me and My Girl” and “Godspell”, a number 2 hit single, and a silver disc for her self-titled album! For every role she played, Su has a dozen madcap behind-the-scenes stories which will keep readers giggling all the way to the final page. She shares hilarious tales of her showbiz friendships with the likes of Ruth Madoc, Matthew Kelly, Paul Shane, Gloria Hunniford, Ray Meagher, and David Hasselhoff, and pulls back the curtain about what fame is really like.
Until now, Su has been very guarded about her personal life - but has decided it’s finally time to let fans see the real her, and talks about her marriage and her family relationships, the night she danced with Princess Diana, and the time Freddie Mercury asked for her autograph - making this one of the most engaging autobiographies of the year.
In writing the book Fully Charged, Su has collaborated with her friend and director Paul Boyd, writer of 26 musicals and dozens of plays, including Su's hit one-woman show Still Fully Charged, which she still tours across the country and internationally!
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 4, 2026
50 years Su Pollard has entertained us and this book starts right back at her Working Mens Clubs roots right through to her recent one woman show ‘Still Fully Charged’
What a life and she really has some amazing tales to tell
Su without an E has done a staggering 42 Pantomimes, countless adverts, theatre work and shows and much TV including ‘You Rang M’Lord’ and ‘Oh, Doctor Beeching’o
And of course the character we all loved Peggy Ollerenshaw in the still popular ‘Hi De Hi’ a catchphrase for many of my generation and a series we still think fondly of now, the book spends time discussing the show and the stars SP worked with on it and was joyful to read about it
As the author is so distinctive in personality and voice I couldn’t help but read it and see and hear her narrating it the whole way through
Sone truly very very funny moments, others very honest and poignant but all told easily and with the authors natural zing
Was good to spend the time with the author who lets face it is a legend and find out all about every aspect of her life and career
What a life and she really has some amazing tales to tell
Su without an E has done a staggering 42 Pantomimes, countless adverts, theatre work and shows and much TV including ‘You Rang M’Lord’ and ‘Oh, Doctor Beeching’o
And of course the character we all loved Peggy Ollerenshaw in the still popular ‘Hi De Hi’ a catchphrase for many of my generation and a series we still think fondly of now, the book spends time discussing the show and the stars SP worked with on it and was joyful to read about it
As the author is so distinctive in personality and voice I couldn’t help but read it and see and hear her narrating it the whole way through
Sone truly very very funny moments, others very honest and poignant but all told easily and with the authors natural zing
Was good to spend the time with the author who lets face it is a legend and find out all about every aspect of her life and career
September 26, 2026
Very entertaining, fabulously fun, easy read.
I don't read a lot of celebrity memoirs; usually reading stories of 'ordinary' people, and how they deal with things; difficult circumstances; medical memoirs etc. But I couldn't resist diving in this one.
Su Pollard is so well-known, a national treasure, such a character. I've chuckled so much watching her on Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang M'Lord?, and she's hilarious, but she is still that same, fun-filled lady when chatting in normal interviews (one I saw recently was at The Chelsea Flower Show). The same voice-she doesn't put on a posh one. What a story she has to tell about her life. And she's done SO much more than Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang M'Lord!
She had a thorough grounding with the Working Men's Clubs circuit, going on to so many great things. In 2024, Su celebrated 50 years in showbusiness.
I loved how this was told, in Su's own words, a conversational style. Well-told with Su's trademark liveliness and zest. I don't listen to many audiobooks, preferring to read, but I bet this will be great as an audio edition, with Su narrating it, great fun.
There are no airs and graces about her, she's an ordinary girl, yet extraordinary at the same time. I just loved learning all about her, her life; anecdotes, memories, reminiscing, and her journey in the entertainment industry. She had me in fits of laughter all the way through. Infectious humour, so much personality. Personality with a capital P.
She's a hoot, and this book is a hoot. Such individual style, there'll never be anyone like her. Fabulous fun.
I love how she seems so unassuming; she doesn't take things for granted, she's really grateful for everything. From humble beginnings in Nottingham, how far she's come. She really is a bundle of fun.
Such a joyous book, I loved it.
I don't read a lot of celebrity memoirs; usually reading stories of 'ordinary' people, and how they deal with things; difficult circumstances; medical memoirs etc. But I couldn't resist diving in this one.
Su Pollard is so well-known, a national treasure, such a character. I've chuckled so much watching her on Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang M'Lord?, and she's hilarious, but she is still that same, fun-filled lady when chatting in normal interviews (one I saw recently was at The Chelsea Flower Show). The same voice-she doesn't put on a posh one. What a story she has to tell about her life. And she's done SO much more than Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang M'Lord!
She had a thorough grounding with the Working Men's Clubs circuit, going on to so many great things. In 2024, Su celebrated 50 years in showbusiness.
I loved how this was told, in Su's own words, a conversational style. Well-told with Su's trademark liveliness and zest. I don't listen to many audiobooks, preferring to read, but I bet this will be great as an audio edition, with Su narrating it, great fun.
There are no airs and graces about her, she's an ordinary girl, yet extraordinary at the same time. I just loved learning all about her, her life; anecdotes, memories, reminiscing, and her journey in the entertainment industry. She had me in fits of laughter all the way through. Infectious humour, so much personality. Personality with a capital P.
She's a hoot, and this book is a hoot. Such individual style, there'll never be anyone like her. Fabulous fun.
I love how she seems so unassuming; she doesn't take things for granted, she's really grateful for everything. From humble beginnings in Nottingham, how far she's come. She really is a bundle of fun.
Such a joyous book, I loved it.
September 8, 2026
If I could give this 6 stars I would…..a lovely book by Su and Paul Boyd - filled with fun, humour, joy, showbiz and a sprinkle of camp…..!
Highly recommended! I couldn’t put it down!
Highly recommended! I couldn’t put it down!
August 22, 2026
Su Pollard celebrates over fifty years in showbusiness in this hilarious and moving memoir, capturing a wealth of stories from her years on screen and stage. Born in Nottingham in 1949, Su, now seventy-six, began acting aged six, As a teen, she paid her dues singing in working men's clubs before a life-changing appearance on Opportunity Knocks, during which she was famously beaten by a singing Jack Russell. Her first major TV show was 1970s' sitcom Two Up Two Down with Paul Nicolas, and she's barely stopped since. Beloved for her role in Hi-de-Hi, You Rang M' Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching!, Su has more than earned the title of national treasure.
I remember Su Pollard at Butlins Ayr, Scotland in 1984 when she had just got married to Peter Keogh. Su wasn't part of the show, but she still got up on the stage and entertained us. She also took time to speak to people.
As I read this entertaining book I had the voice of Peggy Ollerenshaw from Hi-de-Hi narrating it to me in my head. Su has had a lot of success in her career and with her whacky dress style, she is her own person. I loved this honest look at her life, and if you're a fan, I'm sure you'll love it too.
Published 13th August 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MirrorBooks and the author #SuPollard and #PaulBoyd for my ARC of #SuPollardFullyCharged in exchange for an honest review.
I remember Su Pollard at Butlins Ayr, Scotland in 1984 when she had just got married to Peter Keogh. Su wasn't part of the show, but she still got up on the stage and entertained us. She also took time to speak to people.
As I read this entertaining book I had the voice of Peggy Ollerenshaw from Hi-de-Hi narrating it to me in my head. Su has had a lot of success in her career and with her whacky dress style, she is her own person. I loved this honest look at her life, and if you're a fan, I'm sure you'll love it too.
Published 13th August 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #MirrorBooks and the author #SuPollard and #PaulBoyd for my ARC of #SuPollardFullyCharged in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2026
I really enjoyed spending time with Su Pollard in this memoir. She takes us through a career spanning decades, from early days in showbusiness to television, theatre, adverts and countless pantomimes. There are plenty of stories along the way, with Su’s warmth and humour shining through. I especially enjoyed the glimpses behind the scenes and her appreciation for the people who help make productions happen. Her career has certainly been colourful, varied and long-lasting. After entertaining audiences for more than 50 years, if anyone has earned a Yellow Coat, it’s Su — Peggy would surely approve!
Many thanks to Mirror Books and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy
Many thanks to Mirror Books and NetGalley for providing this advanced copy
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews