One of Them

Cashman, Michael

£9.99

Michael Cashman has lived many lives, all of them remarkable: as a beloved actor of stage and screen; as a campaigner for gay rights; as an MEP and as a life peer. Born in the post-war East End of London, young Michael’s life is changed when he is spotted in a school play, cast in Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’ and is transported to the glittering West End. Acting on stage and screen into adulthood, he finds his most defining role as Colin in Eastenders, making television history as one half of the first gay kiss ever broadcast on a British soap. But it is a chance encounter in a Butlins resort that leads Michael to the great love of his life: Paul Cottingham, who would become his husband and partner of 31 years. We follow Michael’s second act, as with Ian McKellen he founds and chairs Stonewall, fighting tirelessly for civil liberties all over the world before entering the world of politics.

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Publish Date: 18/02/2021

Description

‘An extraordinary life, depicted with searing honesty … A colourful journey sprinkled with delicious anecdotesDaily Express‘Extraordinary … You’ll be ugly-sobbing at the end’ Graham Norton’It tells not just the story of his life, but also the battle for LGBT equality in the UK’ Guardian‘A memoir to cherish’ Ian McKellen‘A book to be savoured’ Alan Johnson‘There are so many reasons to love this book’ Armistead Maupin‘A beautifully written, funny memoir’ Jo BrandGrowing up in post-war East London, the son of a docker and an office cleaner, young Michael Cashman’s life changed when he was discovered, aged twelve, and transported to the West End stage. Cashman would make history – first as an actor, one half of the first gay kiss broadcast on a British soap, BBC TV’s EastEnders, and then as a campaigner and politician, founding Stonewall with Ian McKellen, and embarking on a fight for gay rights across the world that would lead him and his partner Paul Cottingham from tea in LA with David Hockney to flying the rainbow flag over the Royal Albert Hall with Elton John.One of Them contains as many multitudes as its author: glorious nostalgia, showbiz gossip and a stirring history of a civil rights movement. And above all things, it is a love story – a tender account of a partnership that changed the world. ‘Passionate and true ? A great book about love, pain and the whole damn thing’ Simon Callow‘Brutally frank and brave’ i‘A brave, good man’ Sheila Hancock

Additional information

Weight 322 g
Dimensions 198 × 129 × 34 mm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

ix, 416 , 16 unnumbered of plates

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

941.085092 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K