This Heart Within Me Burns

Book excerpt: Crissy Rock is an actress and comedian best known for her role in cult comedy TV hit Benidorm and for playing Maggie Conlon in Ladybird Ladybird. But Crissy's path to success was far from easy. Born and bred in the backstreets of Liverpool, her poor but idyllic young life was plunged into darkness at the age of eight, when her grandfather began to abuse her both physically and sexually. Pregnant and married to a violent bully at 16 it seemed that trouble and turmoil would always stalk her. Having finally escaped her violent marriage, Crissy began to turn her life around. She tells of her first experience as a performer when a friend bet her that she wouldn't enter a stand-up competition--she ended up being runner up in the north west region. Establishing herself on the comedy circuit she was then cast in Ladybird Ladybird for which she won Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival. From there, Crissy became a familiar face on television, landing roles in a host of popular programs including Brazen Hussies, alongside Julie Walters.This is a candid, harrowing, and often hilarious memoir. Crissy has been through some of the most shocking experiences imaginable, but what really shines through from every page, is her indomitable, wicked sense of humor. By turns harrowing and laugh-out-loud funny, this is one of the most astonishing books you will ever read. Updated from the hardcover.