Television star Dawn French has revealed the deeply personal reason behind writing her autobiography, explaining that the book ultimately took the form of a series of letters addressed to some of the most significant people in her life, including her former husband, Lenny Henry.
Inspiration Behind the Memoir
Speaking on comedian Mo Gilligan's Beginning, Middle and End podcast, the actress disclosed that the idea for the memoir arose after an unauthorized biography about her was published. According to French, the experience left her feeling frustrated and misrepresented, prompting her to tell her own story in her own words.
Reflecting on the situation, she said, "I wrote an autobiography lots of years ago. And the reason I did that is because somebody else wrote a biography of me and that was a very weird experience."
Feeling Misrepresented
French explained that she felt uncomfortable seeing her life portrayed by someone she had never met. She claimed the unauthorized book contained inaccuracies and presented a version of her life that did not reflect reality.
"I felt like being bullied because somebody I don't know… got a huge amount to write my story," she said, adding that the book included "lies" and hurt members of her family.
Reclaiming Her Narrative
Following the publication of the biography, French said a publisher encouraged her to write her own account of her life. She described the autobiography as a response to the experience and an opportunity to reclaim her narrative.
When it came to writing the book, French chose a unique approach rather than following a traditional autobiography format. Instead, she structured the memoir as a collection of letters addressed to people she loved, admired, or had been inspired by throughout her life.
"So I sat down to write this autobiography and thought, 'Right, how am I going to do this?' And I wrote my autobiography in the form of letters," she shared.
Letters to Loved Ones and Idols
Among those who received letters were her late father, her mother, close friend Jennifer Saunders, and even some of her longtime idols. French revealed that she wrote to singer David Cassidy, whom she had a crush on, as well as The Beatles.
"I wrote to people that I loved, my beloveds and people that I admired," she said. One of the letters was addressed to comedian and actor Lenny Henry, whom French was married to for more than 25 years. The couple announced their amicable separation in 2010 and have continued to speak respectfully about one another over the years.
Success of the Autobiography
Looking back, French said she was pleased that her autobiography resonated with readers and ultimately became more successful than the biography that inspired it.
"Luckily, that book then overtook the other book that was rubbish," she joked.
