Big Girls Don't Cry

In these fascinating memoirs Helene Thornton gives the definitive account of who her daughter Paula Yates really was. From frail, lonely schoolgirl to voluptuous star of the stage and screen, wife, mother, lover, author and artist, Helene's dramatic story finally discloses the truth behind two fascinating, intense lives. She sets the record straight about Paula, one of Britain's best-loved - but least understood - stars, talking candidly about her relationship with TV star Hughie Green, who would be sensationally revealed as Paula's real father after 37 years of silence: her whirlwind romance with Jess Yates and details of their extraordinary love-making, and the secrets, lies and attempts on her life that ended their marriage: Paula Yates' unsettled infancy: the difficult mother-daughter relationship: and the anguish of Paula's death. It is a riveting read of passion and heartache.

Helene Thornton grew up in post-war Blackpool and left school to work as a beauty queen, cabaret showgirl and actress. Her stormy marriage to TV produced and creator of Stars on Sunday Jess Yates ended acrimoniously and she went on to have a number of relationships with high-profile suitors.