From sleeping in cars to driving them on Top Gear

Paddy McGuinness has written his autobiography, charting his life from tearaway teen in Bolton to primetime TV.

In My Lifey, to be published by Ebury Spotlight on October 28, the star describes growing up in a two-up, two-down terrace in the 1970s with mum Pat, who worked two jobs, as a barmaid and a cleaner, to keep food on the table

He would sometimes sleep in abandoned cars, and worked as a labourer until school friend Peter Kay gave him his break in Phoenix Nights and the follow-up Max and Paddy.

McGuinness’s subsequent credits include The Keith and Paddy Picture Show, with Keith Lemon, Take Me Out and Top Gear.

Published: 4 Jun 2021