Category Archives: Profumo Affair

‘Dear Christine’ Draws Back the Curtains

24 Friday May 2019

Posted by in Art and Photography, Books, Profumo Affair, Updates, Wicked Baby, Writing

≈ Comments Off on ‘Dear Christine’ Draws Back the Curtains

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Dear Christine: A Tribute to Christine Keeler, a new exhibition curated by Fionn Wilson, will open at the Vane Gallery in Newcastle on June 1st (open from 12-5 pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays.) During its four week-stay, there will also be a series of lectures and workshops hosted by artists Caroline Coon, Claudia Clare, Sadie Hennessy, Helen Billinghurst and Cathy Lomax. Whether you see Christine Keeler as a Sixties icon or political figure, the women behind Dear Christine are, at long last, bringing her humanity into public view. Continue reading →

Dear Christine: A Tribute to Christine Keeler

12 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in Art and Photography, Profumo Affair, Television, Wicked Baby

≈ Comments Off on Dear Christine: A Tribute to Christine Keeler

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know Christine Keeler. She’s almost a mythical character, like folklore …

Dear Christine: A Tribute to Christine Keeler, a new multi-media exhibition of women’s art curated by artist Fionn Wilson, will open in Newcastle next month before moving on to Swansea in October, and London next February. Among the talented contributors are Caroline Coon, Cathy Lomax and Stella Vine. I have contributed some writing alongside Julie Burchill, Amanda Coe, Tanya Gold and Christine’s son, Seymour Platt, which will be published in an exhibition catalogue. Artists Shani Rhys James and Sadie Lee have talked about Keeler’s impact in this trailer, presented by Fionn and released today. Continue reading →

The Muse Above My Desk

14 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Art and Photography, Magazines, Profumo Affair

≈ Comments Off on The Muse Above My Desk

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Not long ago I acquired a very special painting by my artist friend, Fionn Wilson. Christine at 72 is based on one of the last formal photographs of Christine Keeler, captured by Pal Hansen just a few years before her sad passing in December 2017. I’ve decided to place it above my desk: Christine was (of course) the inspiration for my first book, Wicked Baby. And I was born in ’72, so it seems lucky in many ways. For me, this image represents a proud, independent woman looking back on her past and ahead to the future, always with unflinching courage and honesty. I also find it reassuring to contemplate this model of a mature woman, embracing wisdom and experience alongside her beauty and sensuality.  Continue reading →

Happy New Year To All My Readers

31 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by in Anniversaries, Profumo Affair, Updates, Websites, Wicked Baby, Writing

≈ Comments Off on Happy New Year To All My Readers

Tags

, , , , , ,

As the curtain falls on 2017, this blog also approaches its tenth anniversary. I’d like to thank everyone who has read (and hopefully enjoyed) my posts. This month I’ve been thinking a lot about Christine Keeler, who inspired my first novel and so much more. Wishing everyone a beautiful 2018 – and whatever this new year may bring, keep a dream in your hearts.

Christine, From Beginning To End

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Books, History, Profumo Affair, Wicked Baby

≈ Comments Off on Christine, From Beginning To End

Tags

, , ,

Upon hearing the sad news of Christine Keeler’s passing, here is the epilogue to my novel, Wicked Baby, in which I reimagined the years following the Profumo Affair, in her voice. The photo above, shared by her son on social media, shows Christine enjoying freedom after leaving prison in 1964.  Continue reading →

‘Wicked Baby’ Back in Print

17 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Books, Profumo Affair, Updates, Wicked Baby

≈ Comments Off on ‘Wicked Baby’ Back in Print

Tags

, , , , , ,

418BoC7iY4L

I’m happy to announce that Wicked Baby, my novella based on the events of the Profumo Affair, is now back in print. This edition includes an afterword and six further articles about the scandal’s lasting impact, which first appeared in the Kindle version. You can order it now for £5.24 from Amazon UK, or $7.45 in the US.

‘Art Decades’: Pauline Boty, and More

05 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Art and Photography, Magazines, Marilyn Monroe, Profumo Affair

≈ Comments Off on ‘Art Decades’: Pauline Boty, and More

Tags

, ,

1397716_328926013979947_8273614969506705409_o

Art Decades is a new print magazine featuring a variety of perspectives on everything from film to music to fashion, and beyond, from a large number of writers from all over the world. I’m delighted that my article, ‘Pauline Boty: Pop Artist and Woman’, is featured in the second issue.

Created by Kelley and Jeremy Richey (who runs the Moon in the Gutter blog), Art Decades also includes a cover story on The Raveonettes; an interview with Mary Woronov, and a profile of Cannon Films’ Menahem Golan; tributes to Lou Reed and Joy Division; art by Jeanie Laub, and photography by Whitley Brandenburg and Dylan Staley.

It’s a beautiful magazine, and I’m proud to be a part of it. Buy now from Amazon UK for £9.33; on Amazon US; or direct via Paypal, from the Art Decades website. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, in memory of actress Marie Dubois.

Remembering Mandy Rice-Davies

19 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in Profumo Affair, Wicked Baby

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

Mandy Rice-Davies, photographed by Bryan Wharton, 1986.

Photo by Bryan Wharton, 1986. (National Portrait Gallery, London)

My life has been one long descent into respectability.

I woke up this morning to the news that Marilyn Foreman – better known as Mandy Rice-Davies, whose very name still conjures bittersweet memories of the Profumo Affair, more than half a century later – died last night after a short battle with cancer. I am shocked and sad – she was so full of energy and wit that I thought nothing would stop her. I never knew her personally but she was a huge part of my creative life. And as a woman, her refusal to be cowed by sexual hypocrisy was incredibly inspiring.

Peter Stanford has written an excellent obituary for The Guardian, and you can read some of my own Mandy-related posts here.