Back In Business

In June 1994, Michael Barrymore, television celebrity and gameshow host, checked himself out of an American clinic where he was receiving treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Father Martin's 'Ashley' is a rehabilitation centre in Maryland, USA, where Michael lived for thirty days with members of almost every community in America, all seeking the common goal of sobriety. Michael's day-to-day account of that month in his life provides a candid, sometimes painful, funny and revelatory story of human endurance, challenges the stereotyped view of rehab, and allows the reader a first-hand insight into the disease of addiction.

Michael Barrymore was born in Bermondsey, South London, in May 1952. Today he is one of the most popular, versatile and sought-after comedy entertainers in the United Kingdom. He is married to Cheryl, and together they live in London with their West Highland Terrier, Candy. On television, Michael has hosted ten series of the game show Strike It Lucky. He appeared in three Royal Variety Performances in front of Her Majesty the Queen, topping the bill to universal acclaim in 1993. Most recently, Michael has developed his own unique light entertainment show entitled simply Barrymore. Throughout 1993 and 1994, Michael was presented with numerous awards, including three silver hearts from the Variety Club of Great Britain, and four British Comedy Awards (two of which, for Barrymore, were voted on by the British public). Michael is currently ITV Personality of the Year for the third time. Now having recorded a fourth series of Barrymore, Michael is looking forward to the prospect of an international future.