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Becoming Johnny Vegas
- Narrated by: Johnny Vegas
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
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Becoming Johnny Vegas
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Publisher's Summary
‘My name is Michael Pennington, and I am not a comic character. I’m often mistaken for one though. You might know him by another name. Johnny Vegas.’
From BBC Dickens adaptations to Benidorm and Ideal to the PG Tips ads, Johnny Vegas has become one of Britain's best-loved comic actors.
But before he'd ever drunk tea with a knitted monkey or made himself the exception that proves the rule in terms of the predictability of TV panel game regulars, Johnny Vegas was perhaps the most fearlessly confessional stand-up comedian this country has ever produced.
How did an eleven-year-old Catholic trainee priest from St Helens grow up to become the North West of England’s answer to Lenny Bruce? That’s just one of the many questions answered by this eye-poppingly frank memoir.
Becoming Johnny Vegas establishes its author as the poet laureate of the Pimblett's pie.
Once you've finished this darkly hilarious tale of family, faith and the creative application of alcohol dependency, you'll never look at a copy of the Catholic men's society newsletter the same way again.
Critic Reviews
‘…book’s fabulous, buy it!’ Paul O’Grady
‘Extraordinary. A truly unusual showbiz memoir.’ Mark Lawson, Front Row, BBC Radio 4
‘A compelling tale of self-loathing, bristling with anger and bitterness, it still manages to be very funny and hold out hope of redemption.’ Daily Telegraph
'It's funny and a bit horrifying – with, at its best in the early sections, an almost Alan Bennettish feel for bathos.' The Best Memoirs of 2013, The Guardian
‘A characteristically in-yer-face narrative of how Michael Pennington became Johnny Vegas.’ The Independent
‘Michael Pennington – his real name – proves there’s more to Mr Vegas than meets the eye in this frank memoir.’ 100 Best Books For Christmas, The Telegraph
‘Altogether unique… as elegantly constructed as the finest literary novel.’ Catholic Herald
‘Reads like a novel.’ The Guardian
‘Eloquent, witty and perceptive, a fascinating study of creative catharsis.’ Metro
‘Rare is the celebrity memoir that’s as honest, insightful, revelatory and compelling as Becoming Johnny Vegas.’ Chortle
What listeners say about Becoming Johnny Vegas
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Rob in Nelson NZ
- 04-01-2023
NOT AT ALL WHAT I WAS EXPECTING
I can't say that I have any real comprehension of an 'alter ego'. Well; I didn't before I listened to his book. Predominantly the story of Michael Pennington, and that is apparently a very different person to Johnny Vegas. I can't say that I laughed during the time spent listening to this book, but I did find it interesting. Audible has the option of returning a book you don't enjoy, and I've used it several times. While this wasn't at all what I expected, in that I didn't find it amusing, I did enjoy it and won't be asking for a return. Well-read and it explains the 'Alter Ego" concept fully and sincerely. A little out of date in that it is 10 years old as I write this review. Can't give it 5 starts but neither does it deserve less than 4. If you want to know the story behind Johnny Vegas, well worth a listen. The story surprised me a lot, but was not as funny as I was hoping, albeit the blurb associated with the book is, in hindsight, reasonably clear on the fact this is more about Michael Pennington than Johnny Vegas,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-07-2022
Difficult and wonderful listen…
The early story of Michael/Johnny’s life was a hard gig to hear. Beautifully written with honesty and no glossing over….the latter half revealed extraordinary courage and commitment to true self and original work….I highly recommend persisting through the tough telling and life journey of this remarkable man.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-10-2022
Love it
I never knew what an intelligent and well written man Johnny had high jacked… a great read/listen
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- suzy leigh
- 11-03-2023
First and last 2 hours was great
The last 2 hours was especially interesting when he talks about Edinburgh etc
The rest I nearly gave up on
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