By Christopher Eccleston

Simon & Schuster, out now

 Christopher Eccleston pens his autobiography with specific reference to his relationship with his late father, sharing how he was shaped by this great (and greatly missed) man.

First things first, this is not a kiss and tell story of why Christopher Eccleston left Doctor Who after a single season, and if you had expected that, you need to read this book to discover this most honest and honourable of actors. That’s not to say that Doctor Who is ignored – it takes up around 20 pages – and what’s telling is the caption on the sole photo from the show: ‘I loved playing this character almost as much as I loathed the politics involved in the making of the show.’

Instead of obsessing on what’s not in the book, it’s far more useful to look at what Eccleston shares with us, and it’s incredibly honest. Much has been made in the media of the author’s revelation of his mental illness that he’s been fighting so long, and with this in mind, it explains his feelings about certain times in his life and why he might not want to return to a role that he essayed during a low point.

We gain a detailed history of Eccleston’s birth and childhood in Salford, his interaction with his mother and older twin brothers, but significantly his idolising of his father. We also experience his realisation that his father was a flawed man, shaped by his own upbringing. Eccleston goes to drama school and anorexia takes a grip, his only control mechanism in an industry where he feels he has no other control. Ironically, he is rewarded for this ‘skinny’ look, being cast in roles that take advantage of his physique.

Eccleston is frank about shortcomings in his own performances (including last year’s RSC Macbeth) and admits that he was poor in Hollywood movies like Gone in 60 Seconds. The anecdotes aren’t glittering showbiz moments, rather grim life lessons and turning points that prompted a change in direction or a greater determination to succeed.

He hit rock bottom five years ago when his relationship with his partner ended, and he self-admitted into therapy. Fighting an ongoing fear that death was imminent, he suffered the immediate fallout of leaving a TV production at short notice, took Working Title to the High Court and went up against the media giants that had hacked his phone.

It’s easy to see why some found him to be a member of ‘the awkward squad’ and he names performers he just didn’t get on with. He also draws comparisons with his contemporaries Daniel Day Lewis and Gary Oldman, reflecting that they took similar roles, though their paths went in different directions. But ultimately it’s about his dad, and the closing chapters follow Eccleston senior’s 11-year decline into dementia and death. This was a man from a generation who shielded their femininity and emotions – the veil only slipping when dementia stripped away the inhibitions.

Verdict: A surprising, shocking and brave autobiography that lays bare one of our finest actors. Such honesty is rare, but here is a man who has been shaped by his father to be polite and cling on to his integrity in all circumstances. You won’t watch the author in the same light again, and while you might feel that his self-assessment of his performances can be very harsh, you’ll share his elation when he knows he’s done something special. Fantastic! 9/10

Nick Joy

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