Although I'm not really a Downton fan, I do rather like productions starring Hugh Bonneville - particularly Mr Brown in the Paddington films and Ian Fletcher in TV's 'Twenty Twelve' and 'W1A'. He's soon to appear on the stage in London as CS Lewis in 'Shadowlands' and returning as Director of Integrity in 'Twenty Twenty Six' for the BBC, so I was interested to find out how his career has panned out through this, his memoir from 2022.

First of all, let me say that this is a very entertaining read. He has a wry take on life and, for me, there were moments of laugh-out-loud humour. His voice and perspective are very clear and we gain an insight to his upbringing, emerging career, and then behind the scenes of tv, film and stage.

He doesn't share much about his personal life except for his sadness at losing his mum and then coping with his dad's Alzheimer's diagnosis. There is also the sudden death of his brother, Nigel, who had a leaning for, if not an obsession with, the theatre, though not 'the compulsion' to act, says Hugh.

Hugh shares something of what he has learnt over the years in becoming an actor, and staying in work. There are the failed auditions as well as stories of working with Julia Roberts in 'Notting Hill' and not recognising stars he meets, such as Leonardo DiCaprio. 

Alongside the humour and the gratitude for an established career, it's clear, too, that he doesn't suffer fools, and knows his own mind - and his own worth. There comes a point, for example, when he decides he cannot be paid enough to justify a toilet roll advert!

Today he is much sought after and beloved, though still as the character actor and not the lead, he says. A very enjoyable read.