-- Purchasing Information

	Paperback	Hardback
Publication Date:		31 October 2008
ISBN: ISBN 13:		1-906358-07-9 978-1-906358-07-5
Page Extent:		312
Book Size:		216x138mm
Price:		£12.99
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Price (USD):		$25.95
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Downloads:
Publication Date:	31 October 2008
Digital eBook ISBN 13:	978-1-908548-55-9
Digital pdf ISBN 13:	978-1-907792-38-0
	Based on Amazon's Kindle Store

-- Reviews by the Famous and well Known

Vince has always said that it was me who gave him his first chance in TV comedy writing, but in the years that followed Harry Worth he more than justified my initial confidence in his talent by working on so many successful TV shows with so many star names.
John Ammonds MBE, Television Producer

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Vince Powell is arguably one of Britain’s top television comedy writers who has been responsible for creating and writing many popular and successful TV situation comedy series during the past 40 years.
His autobiography traces his rise from the back street of Manchester and his early struggles which led him to a glittering career during which he wrote a host of TV hits, most of which were rarely out of the top ten national TV ratings.
His list of credits reads like a history of television comedy, and his memoirs evoke many happy memories of that wonderful era, now referred to as the ‘Golden Years of Comedy’.
I first met Vince when he became my Programme Associate for over a decade, working on ‘Surprise Surprise’, ‘Blind Date’ and many of my one-hour TV Specials, during which time we became good friends in spit of him being a Manchester United supporter!
If, like me, you would like to recapture those nostalgic memories of the time when comedy reigned supreme, you will enjoy Vince’s book, with its stories and anecdotes of the many famous celebrities who he has written for and worked with and his step by step rise to fame.
Cilla Black OBE, Singer & Television Star - Written the Foreword

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I love writers - the way they snatch ideas, characters and situations out of thin air and turn them into something of lasting value.
Vince Powell, creator of some of television's best-loved comedy shows, is an extreme example. I know, I've seen him at work.
Vince's story, 'From Rags to Gags', is a breathtaking account of the teeming imagination, way with words and capacity for sheer bloody hard work involved in producing hit after hit. I had to read it lying down.
Michael Aspel OBE, Journalist/TV Presenter

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There is only one word to use when someone is really good at their job and that would be "professional". It applies to Vince perfectly. He is a pleasure to work with and has often repaired my scripts when they have had holes in them.
Peter Rogers, British Film Producer

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Vince Powell stands out in the history of ITV as one of the few writers consistently to produce hit comedy shows for the network. He is a master of his craft.
Michael Grade CBE, ITV PLC (Executive Chairman)

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I personally grew up loving the sitcoms that Vince Powell wrote and created alone and with his one-time writing partner, Harry Driver. Vince's great talent is that he has never been afraid to explore all kinds of subjects in his work, even whilst writing sitcoms just about domestic life. Vince and his work has always been a total inspiration to me, and in this book at long last we get to read the full story about his role in TV's golden age of comedy. A must-have book for all fans of British sitcom and for all would-be comedy writers!
Paul Burton, Author of 'Making My Own Space' and 'The Official Carry On Quiz Book'

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At last! The lid is off! Vince Powell was there and tells it how it happened. The Montgomery of comedy writing took on the Rommel of the ratings with shows that sparked controversy. A long career much of it with his partner, Harry Driver, a roller coaster of ribaldry, a ferris wheel of fun. If you ever wondered what when on behind the scenes of TV comedy, it’s all here. Plus! Give us a clue, the long-running mime show that made a deafening impact with silence. Get this book early to avoid disappointment.
If you really want to know what a comedy writer's life is really like, it's all here, warts and all. And now and again, you'll remark "Oh, what a lovely wart". The detail is amazing and the self awareness is always there. Sit back, pour yourself a large glen close and enjoy!
Barry Cryer OBE, Writer & Comedian - Written the Foreword

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So you think you can write material for a successful comedy series?! This excellent book, written by a master of his craft, will guide you through the months and years of sweat and tears as Vince Powell honed his immaculate comic timing.
Sir Donald Sinden CBE, Actor

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Reading Vince’s book was such a pleasure. It brought back such pleasant memories of his contribution to the world of comedy. He is so devoted to his love of comedy that what ever he wrote was so well thought out with the characters coming out real. His book has indeed covered all aspects of comedy in detail, his friends, the producers and the artistes and comical incidents during his long spell as a top comedy writer. In my opinion he is indeed one of the best writers of comedy and in his book he has shown his wit and love of comedy, mist of all his sincere feelings for all those who worked with him in his comedies which were all brilliant. The book is a nice read.
Albert Moses, Actor

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A glorious reminder of the golden days of sitcoms.
Brian Murphy, Actor

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I was privileged to have met Vince for the first time at Pinewood Studios a couple of years ago and he struck me as a great man, well you only have to read 'From Rags to Gags' to see that my first instincts of Vince were right. This book takes you on an incredible journey of one of Britain's top TV situation comedy writer's from 229 Bradford Road, Miles Platting, Manchester to the South of France. Vince has written and worked with some of the finest talent this Country have ever produced over the past 40 years. And Vince being a avid Manchester United fan, I'm sure this book will also top the league. You will not be able to put this book down and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Kevin Snelgrove, Author of 'The Official Carry On Facts, Figures & Statistics'

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A book no sitcom fan would want to be without. I do mind the quality, that's why I loved this book.
Linda Regan, Actress

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This is a great read, I enjoyed every page.
Bobby King, Comedian in the Play 'Turned Out Nice Again'

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I really enjoyed this autobiography. A riveting romp from the time Vince and Harry did their double act, his day job with Hector Powe, straight through to the golden years of his situation comedies. There is some wonderful yarns about Jimmy Jewel, Hilda Baker and Fred Emney. I hope the book becomes a bestseller!
Jimmy Cricket, Comedian

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An amazing life story from an amazing man who has contributed so much to British comedy.
Ken Rock, British Society of Comedy Writers (President)

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Comedy-writer Vince Powell’s enticing autobiography “From Rags to Gags”, calls to mind Dennis Hopper declaring, re film-TV’s obsession with youth: “Today, any kid with a bicycle can get a movie financed.”
Amidst the world’s current frightful and intransigent mass-tragedies, the injustice involved in a few hundred over-40s writers not being able to get or sell work, solely on account of age, ranks very low indeed. Yet, a genuine and bitter injustice it is, and Vince is not reluctant to discuss it. More – he proposes the modest beginning of a righting of this manifest wrong. Good luck, Vince!
The book, in total, is a continuing tribute to a solid family upbringing, and a measured and warm account of Vince’s progress, with his valiant partner Harry Driver, along the unpredictable road of showbiz. From his first cross-talk act with Driver (happily included in full), to his involvement with some most resonant names in contemporary comedy, “From Rags to Gags” reflects, from someone who was right there in the midst of it, the glitter of the golden age of British TV.
Norman Hudis, Comedy Writer (Including the First 6 Carry On Films) & Author of 'No Laughing Matter'

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-- Newspaper and Website Reviews

FROM RAGS TO GAGS
The Brit (Madeira Newspaper)

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VINCE POWELL
The Independent

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FROM RAGS TO GAGS
The Self Publishing Magazine

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FROM RAGS TO GAGS
South Wales Argus

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Whilst you may not be familiar with the name Vince Powell, you will most certainly know of his work. Nearest and Dearest, Love Thy Neighbour and Mind Your Language have all sprung from this productive comedy writer. Much of his early work was penned with the late Harry Driver, a remarkable character who managed to conjure fun and laughter from a life of severe disability.
Vince’s poor but largely contented childhood was enlivened by illicit visits to the local fleapit during school hours. Radio comedy also exerted a powerful draw. The world of laughter that beckoned from beyond the glowing valves of the wireless awoke in the young Powell a desire to perform, strong enough even to conquer parental doubts. With likeminded chum Harry Driver on board they embarked on the rollercoaster ride of delight and disappointment that forms the life of a professional comedy writer. Together they experienced the tactile thrill of that first hard-earned pay cheque followed swiftly by days bereft of comic inspiration with a blank sheet of paper in an impotent typewriter; a vignette familiar to most comedy writers over the years. Vince even enjoyed a valuable diversion penning early episodes of Coronation Street; the ideal place to sharpen a keen sense of northern humour.
This autobiography is as much about Vince’s personal journey as it as about the larger than life characters that inhabited television during it’s golden age. It reminds us of the rivalry between the BBC and ITV and the regional programme contractors within ITV itself as contractors Thames, ATV and London Weekend Television jostled for position in the schedules. The book provides a fascinating insight into the way sitcoms were commissioned in the 60s and 70s: The more enlightened Heads of Comedy knew which writers they could trust and had the tenacity to persevere with a show even when it didn’t immediately take off; a way of thinking all but extinct in today’s schizophrenic multi-channel maelstrom. We’ll never see an era like it again, and this book is an engaging glimpse of a life dedicated to laughter.
Nottingham Evening Post

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FROM RAGS TO GAGS
Greenock Telegraph

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FROM RAGS TO GAGS: THE MEMOIRS OF A COMEDY WRITER
The Weekly News

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A fascinating and humourous insight into the life and work of one of British comedy's most successful and prolific writers.
www.sitcom.co.uk

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An excellent book!
Bill McBride, The Weekly News

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Bless This House is just one of the many classic television shows created by Vince and his late writing partner Harry Driver. This book is a must read for fans of the golden age of television!
www.blessthishouse.net

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-- Radio and TV

Vince Powell was interviewed on Lionheart Radio 107.3 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags' on 'The Hayden Parker Show'.
Lionheart Radio 107.3 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on CyBC Radio (Cyprus Radio). Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
CyBC Radio (Cyprus Radio)

Vince Powell was interviewed on KCLR 96 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
KCLR 96 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on BBC Radio Cumbria 95.6 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags To Gags'.
BBC Radio Cumbria 95.6 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on Manx Radio 89-103 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags To Gags' on 'The Bob Harrison Show'.
Manx Radio 89-103 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on BBC London 94.9 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags To Gags' on 'The Jo-Anne Good and Paul Ross Show'.
BBC London 94.9 FM (The Jo-Anne Good and Paul Ross Show)

Vince Powell was interviewed on Channel M (TV for Manchester). Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
Channel M (TV for Manchester)

Vince Powell was interviewed on Sunny Govan Radio 103.5 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags' on 'The John McDonald Show'. (Sadly only the last part of the interview was broadcast as the radio station failed to turn up Vince's volume).
Sunny Govan Radio 103.5 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on Leith 98.8 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags' on 'The Graeme Logan Show'.
Leith 98.8 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on Radio Hampshire 107.8 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags' on 'The Stewart Dennis Show'.
Radio Hampshire 107.8 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on Bristol Community Radio 93.2 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'. He was interviewed on 'The Mark Le-Leivre Show'.
Bristol Community Radio 93.2 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on BBC Southern Counties Radio 104 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
BBC Southern Counties Radio 104 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire 95.7 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire 95.7 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on BBC Radio Kent 96.7 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
BBC Radio Kent 96.7 FM

Vince Powell was interviewed on Isle of Wight Radio 107 FM. Vince answered questions about his book 'From Rags to Gags'.
Isle of Wight Radio 107 FM

18 July 2009 - A tribute to television scriptwriter and author Vince Powell was broadcast after his passing on 13 July 2009. Bristol Community Radio 93.2 FM also replayed Vince's interview with the radio station from earlier this year.
Bristol Community Radio 93.2 FM

-- Readers Comments

A rich record of a unique time of television comedy writing and performance. Vince Powell’s chapter 19 'Television comedy today is no laughing matter' is so right and highlights the joys we have lost, at last!
Leonard White
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This book is a roller-coaster of memories, from ‘The Golden Age of Comedy’ by one of the legendary script-writers of all time. This book is about warm, generous man whose contribution to television is unparalleled, all the sadness and humour of a poor but happy childhood to the playground of the rich and famous. Vince’s book tells it as it is and gives hope and inspiration to ‘any cheeky kid who believes he can make people laugh'.
Sue Long
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Bless This House is just one of the many classic television shows created by Vince and his late writing partner Harry Driver. This book is a must read for fans of the golden age of television!
Richard Bell
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-- Book Signings and Events

Vince Powell signed copies of his book 'From Rags to Gags' at Waterstone's, The Peacocks Centre, Woking.
Waterstone's, The Peacocks Centre, Woking

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Vince Powell signed copies of his book 'From Rags to Gags' at Waterstone's, Redhill.
Waterstone's, Redhill

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Vince Powell signed copies of his book 'From Rags to Gags' at Waterstone's, Croydon.
Waterstone's, Croydon

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Vince Powell signed copies of his book 'From Rags to Gags' at Waterstone's, Trafford Centre, Manchester.
Waterstone's, Trafford Centre, Manchester

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-- Libraries that stock this book
The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
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The University Library, Cambridge
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The National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
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The Library of Trinity College, Dublin
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The Bodleian Library, Oxford
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The British Library, Boston Spa
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