Our Betty: Liz Smith

Liz Smith , best-known in Australia for her role as the creative chef Mrs Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley  tells her life story from her cosseted yet lonely childhood with her beloved grandparents (her mother died giving birth to Liz's stillborn sibling), through the war with the WRENS, marriage and children, divorce and poverty, long years working in dead-end jobs -such as in a plastic bag factory - until her heavenly escape of evening acting classes provided the chance for a career.  While working at Hamley's one Christmas ('I was one of those tiresome people who stop you and beg you to try samples of this and that'), she received a phone call from a young director who wanted to make an improvised film. His name was Mike Leigh and the film Bleak Moments . From that point, when Liz was 50, her career took off and she has worked with some of the most famous names in the entertainment business. Our Betty is original, amusing and fascinating - as if you are enjoying a conversation with her - on the struggles, hopes and successes endemic of a life in front of the camera.  With illustrations by 'our Betty'.