For Immediate Release:
LONDON 14/10/2025
FENELLA FIELDING FOUNDATION LTD
NEW Fenella Fielding biography and exhibition of her personal effects
Dear Fenella… 90 Years, 90 Letters by Simon McKay is a new biography of actress Fenella Fielding OBE (1927-2018) telling the story of her 90 year life and career through a narrative based on 90 letters and a feast of unseen Fenella photos – all sourced from the late actress’ personal archive. The book includes lots of Fenella speaking, as told to the author, quotes from past publications and her own diaries and journal notes. This book is a celebration of a fascinating life that, very lovingly, touched many others.
Choosing from thousands of letters: the book opens with Fenella’s first play – she’s 13. When we reach the final letter, she’s invited to the Palace to collect her OBE – she’s 90. The story between those two points is remarkable. Lots of famous contributors, including; Kenneth Williams, a larky Harold Pinter, Laurence Olivier, Dirk Bogarde, John Cleese wanting his old scripts back to reuse in Monty Python, Cecil Beaton ‘a distant admirer’, Gyles Brandreth ‘you do weave spells’, a 14-year old fan called Matthew Bourne, Quentin Crisp, Leigh Bowery, Jane Birkin, Kate O’Mara and Peter Wyngarde.
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Yet some of the most astonishing stories come from unknown letter writers: the motor scooter rider who knocks Fenella over, shouts at her, and later asks her to contribute to the cost of repairing his bike; Fenella’s escort to a central London nightclub who has wig-cleaner poured into the petrol tank of his gleaming new Jaguar; the man who sees her on Morecambe & Wise and offers her ‘stimulating chastisement’ – he wants to spank her!
Fenella was a rare talent, a remarkable wit, but was also deeply empathetic and caring about people. Did she piss a few people off too? You bet!
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About the author: Simon McKay is a psychotherapist who met Fenella in a Pilates class. They became close friends and wrote her memoirs together (published 2017). Since Fenella’s death, he has established the Fenella Fielding Foundation to celebrate her life and career.
A4 Hardback. 216 pages including more than 200 photos. RRP £30. Published by Quoit Media (distributed by Gardners Books)
EXHIBITION FENELLA FIELDING: ONSTAGE, OFFSTAGE (GALLERY 286)
31 October to 13 December 2025 (286 Earls Court Road, London SW5 9AS) £5 admission
A look at Fenella’s life through her personal possessions. Was there really much difference between Fenella onstage and offstage? One space dedicated to performance and another more homely. (Curated by Simon McKay.) Exhibition includes photos, posters, wallpaper, wigs, eyelashes, frocks, furniture and the blood-red ring Fenella wore in Carry On Screaming.
CONTACT:
Simon McKay 07471303623 | simon_mckay@hotmail.com | fenellafielding.com
Rick Davy 07801 512646 | quoit@quoitmedia.co.uk | quoitmedia.co.uk
PDF OF DEAR FENELLA AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
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