Stafford Hildred – författare

Rod Stewart will be 60 in less than two years' time - yet his popularity (and his determination to continue living the rock-star life to the full) is undimmed by the passing years. Since turning 50, life has been as turbulent as ever for him; marriage to Rachel, two children, divorce, a serious cancer scare, more albums released and concerts given, singing for the Queen at the Jubilee concert - and, naturally, a new blonde on his arm, Penny Lancaster. Tim Ewbank and Stafford Hildred have been tracking Rod's life for many years, right from the early days of the Faces. For this book they have spoken to many of the most important influences in his life, including past loves like Bebe Ruell, Britt Ekland and Rachel Hunter.This new book is the most complete and intimate account of the life and career of the ultimate rock-star.

Fifty years ago he was just the boy Harry Webb, performing in a local youth club. Now he is Sir Cliff Richard, the first rock star to be knighted, with a massive international fan base and a top ten hit in each of the last six decades. Yet, despite his huge public persona, the man himself remains a reserved and private figure.Unflinching in its portrayal of the man behind the musical icon, this revealing biography marks fifty years of music from the first British pop star. His fellow musicians, co-stars, directors and Cliff himself talk candidly about his musical ascendance, the women in his life, his religious beliefs and his lasting regret that he has never broken America.

After making his name as Doyle in The Professionals in the 1970s, Martin Shaw''s career has gone from strength to strength. Now the star of the BBC hit drama Judge John Deed, Martin is also currently treading the boards on the London stage in A Man for All Seasons. One of Britain''s most popular and versatile actors, Martin has played more than 100 television roles as well as a host of distinguished and critically acclaimed lead theatrical parts. Based on a series of interviews and recollections from famous friends, relativesm and co-stars of both stage and screen, this is a revealing and honest portrait of the notoriously reluctant but hugely popular star.

As Nordic Noir takes off, there is one standout character who has been fascinating critics and readers alike for almost 20 years—this book traces the evolution of Kurt Wallander and the enormous impact he has had In the two decades since he first appeared in Henning Mankel''s novel Faceless Killers, the sad Swedish detective Kurt Wallander has become a worldwide success story. Mankel''s compelling books about the idealistic police inspector have sold more than 30 million copies in 43 different languages and inspired more than 25 film adaptations. This book explores how in Europe, readers took instantly to the troubled, lonely cop with his horrendous health problems and catastrophic home life. It also demonstrates the new fanbase given the character since Kenneth Branagh has taken on the central role in the acclaimed and award-winning series, and British and American fans have really taken Wallander to their hearts. It discusses the effect on the small Swedish town of Ystad, now one of the country''s top tourist attractions as many British and American visitors are lining up to visit murder scenes and immerse themselves in the bleak landscape made famous on screen. Yet Wallander is much more than just another TV crime series—Henning Mankel invented the caring policeman as a vehicle to write about the disturbing increase in violence and racism that was undermining the comfortable social democracy of Sweden. Those problems are as international as Wallander''s appeal.