René & Me: An Autobiography

René & Me: An Autobiography by Gordon Kaye. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780283999659.

Gordon Kaye is famous for his portrayal of the cafe boss in "Allo, Allo", a BBC sitcom and stage show. This is his story of how a shy working-clas Yorkshire boy fought his way up to become the extrovert Rene, discussing the knocks he took along the way. Perhaps the most devastating blow was the recent tabloid revelations about his private life, but Gordon Kaye won the sympathy and admiration of the country by facing up to the situation and telling the truth about his homosexuality. He tells the whole story with wit and compassion and also talks about the other stars he has known and worked with - his friendship with Pat Phoenix and how she got him his first big TV break on "Coronation Street"; his work with John Inman on "Are You Being Served" and there is a wealth of anecdotes about people such as Les Dawson, John Cleese, Marty Feldman, Max Wall, Joan Syms and many more.