Charlotte Courthold interviews comedian Helen Lederer about her debut novel
I recently had the pleasure of talking to Helen Lederer about her first novel that is published on 12th February. Helen is a very funny lady and first came to the attention of the television viewing public in the early 80s as one of a group of comedians including Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Rik Mayal and Ben Elton who made their names at London’s comedy store.
She is probably most famous for her role and the dippy Catriona in Absolutely Fabulous although she has featured in many television programmes. My favourite was the part of the almost love interest of Richie in Bottom.
Speaking with Helen and discussing her varied life in comedy and lately her part in Hollyoaks as Miriam the midwife, I felt as though she was an old friend. Her ready wit and enjoyment of life came across in our interview and I looked forward to reading her book. She has written sketches and radio plays in the past and is obviously happy with the written word.
I understand her sentiment that life is limited in time and as you get older you have to make the most of what you have and celebrate all that is on offer. I asked her about the time she spent writing the book but, like all she does, she told me that she spent up to 10 hours at a time getting the words on the page and loved every minute.
She loves working and grabs every opportunity to “get stuck in”, particularly in the fridge where she keeps a supply of chocolate and treats.
The lead character in her book, Millie, is very like Helen herself in her outlook on life and while she has financial and relationship problems these are traits that any of us can identify with.
The book is written for laughs and is similar to a Bridget Jones’s diary for the older woman. In debt, divorced and desperate Millie takes on a financially lucrative deal to lose weight by promoting a diet pill. She is given three months to lose three stone, no weight loss, and no fee. How hard can it be?
I liked Millie; she is overweight, selfish, undisciplined and fun. Despite the odds she is optimistic that she will get the money and hopefully some sex, or at least someone to go to the cinema with.
Mille has a daughter with a job in Papua New Guinea and there is an almost surreal part of the book when Millie flies out to visit. The tension between herself and daughter Mary struck such a chord with me that it mirrored my relationship with my own clever daughter.
Amongst the chaos and disarray we follow the journey of the woman who feels 30 inside, but in reality is creeping towards her late 50s.
Losing it is published by Pan Macmillan on 12th February
