I had to do the book because there was an unauthorised biography which didn't tell it like it was.

It's no fun getting older. I might be wearing beautiful diamond earrings but they can't take away the pain of losing my hearing.

I didn't think before that I'd done enough to justify publishing an autobiography but after 40 years in show business I'm now ready to tell my story.

I humbly apologise for reality Television.

I'm not, sexy, am I? God knows, I've tried

I love Simon Cowell, he's a dear friend.

When I was fifteen, I remember my mum taking me to the posh clothes shop on London Road to get my first grown-up coat. It was royal-blue and very adult, and I thought, Gosh, this is great! But when my mum said to the assistant, "What's the lowest price you'll take for this?" I nearly died of shame, and wanted to run away.