Behind The Sofa is a collection of over 100 celebrity memories of Doctor Who, compiled in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK. Steve Berry decided to undertake this project in memory of his mother Janet, who suffered from Alzheimer's in her final years and passed away in 2009. The book has taken more than four years to put together and its publication has been "crowd-funded" by the pre-orders of an enthusiastic Whovian community. 100% of the book royalties, proceeds and net profit will be donated to Alzheimer's Research UK. Contributors include comedians Al Murray, Stephen Merchant, and Bill Oddie; actors Lynda Bellingham, Nicholas Parsons, and Rhys Thomas; writers Neil Gaiman, Jenny Colgan, Jonathan Ross and Charlie Brooker and politicians Louise Mensch and Tom Harris. In addition, there is input from a number of the writers, actors and production staff who were involved in creating Doctor Who stories new and old. "I always had a sneaking suspicion that everyone in the world loves Doctor Who. Now I have proof! If I could get all the famous names who contributed to this book into one room, it would be the maddest Doctor Who party ever. Until then, their favourite memories of the programme are preserved for all to see. Plus, everyone who buys a copy will be helping to give hope to the 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia today," says author Steve Berry. The book has been beautifully illustrated by popular Doctor Who Magazine artist Ben Morris and is a must-have for Whovians worldwide.
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Book Description
Over 100 celebrity memories of DOCTOR WHO, on behalf of Alzheimer's Research UK, with a foreword by Sir Terry Pratchett.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
About the Author
Steve Berry is an author and freelance writer who has contributed to a number of magazines, including Maxim and Scarlet, and has been a guest reviewer for TalkSport's Hawksbee & Jacobs radio show and Panini's Doctor Who Magazine. He has also written comedy for TV, newspapers and the internet. He has appeared on countless radio and TV shows talking about his specialist retro subjects, TV, toys, sweets and snacks, including Channel Five's Greatest Moments series, UK Gold's Porridge and Doctor Who weekends, BBC Four's The Hard Sell and C4's Top Ten TV and 100 Greatest Toys.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By V. Dunstan
Format:Hardcover
This is arguably one of the best Doctor Who books that has been published in recent years: a warm-hearted celebration of the series and why its fans love it so much. Filled with over one hundred recollections by celebrities - the celebrity angle rarely matters hugely, they could in many cases be written by any enthusiastic fan - it is an absorbing and fascinating read. There is a little repetition in places, for example quite a few of the people visited the Doctor Who exhibition in Blackpool as children - I wish I had! But generally the book is filled with variety, occasionally memories from adulthood, more usually childhood recollections. For anyone who has fallen in love with Doctor Who, particularly as a child, new series or classic, this is a must read. And as a bonus the book is raising money for Alzheimer's research.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By mezza
Format:Hardcover
I have to commend this book edited by Steve Berry as having read it, well having consumed it voraciously last night on receipt It was a book that gave me that sense of winter warmness. It was compelling to read accounts of famous and infamous peoples ( Michael Grade, yes you ) recollections on the series.
I enjoyed the breadth of people that Steve had brought on board for the project and the wide range of recollections that just showed what find regard the TV series Doctor Who is held in. This is a real celebration of the original format of the show, th evolution of the show and the reformatting of the modern incarnation of the show.
A glorius read and also it's for a really really good cause.
Hats off to all thos involved and a similar follow up of some kind next year for the 50th is called for.
I enjoyed the breadth of people that Steve had brought on board for the project and the wide range of recollections that just showed what find regard the TV series Doctor Who is held in. This is a real celebration of the original format of the show, th evolution of the show and the reformatting of the modern incarnation of the show.
A glorius read and also it's for a really really good cause.
Hats off to all thos involved and a similar follow up of some kind next year for the 50th is called for.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By B Connolly
Format:Hardcover
This book, which raises money for Alzheimer's Research, contains interesting and often very funny memories about Doctor Who. There's a really good mix of people involved, from celebrities like Charlie Brooker, Stephen Merchant and Jonathan Ross to former companions, people who worked on the series and even Michael Grade, who cancelled the original run of the programme in the late 1980s.
There are some great stories about the making of Doctor Who or watching particular episodes, but perhaps my favourite involves a young Paul Hartnoll of Orbital's terrifying meeting with a dalek and a beloved children's TV presenter.
It's a really good book to dip in and out of and, particularly as it's for a great cause, would make an excellent gift for any Doctor Who fan.
There are some great stories about the making of Doctor Who or watching particular episodes, but perhaps my favourite involves a young Paul Hartnoll of Orbital's terrifying meeting with a dalek and a beloved children's TV presenter.
It's a really good book to dip in and out of and, particularly as it's for a great cause, would make an excellent gift for any Doctor Who fan.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was lucky enough to hear about Steve Berry's ambitious "Behind the Sofa" project via Twitter earlier in the year. It sounded like a great idea, so I became one of the pre-orders that helped to fund the book's creation. The journey to completion was fascinating to watch and it was great to feel involved, albeit vicariously, through Steve's Twitter updates (as well as those of the brilliant illustrator Ben Morris.) Along the way, obstacles such as PayPal blocking the funding were overcome and today the finished book is in my hands at last. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely!
The simple premise - gather memories of Doctor Who from celebrities from the world of its production as well as the wider public eye - allows it to be accessible to more than just the hardcore fan. That said, as an undeniable "Whovian" myself I still found lots in the book that felt fresh and not just a collection of oft-repeated anecdotes. In fact the contribution of (former Executive Producer) Mal Young alone has had more impact on me than any of the many books & articles written about the "wilderness years" of the series between the Sylvester McCoy era and the new Christopher Eccleston show in 2005. (You'll have to buy the book, I'll just quote three words here: "from 1997 onwards".)
There is input here from people close to the show, including past companions and production team members and people from the public eye such as Al Murray, Jonathan Ross and MP Louise Mensch. Everyone has their own anecdote about what the series means to them and it all feels very genuine and the complete opposite of a clichéd TV "talking heads" programme.... Read more ›
The simple premise - gather memories of Doctor Who from celebrities from the world of its production as well as the wider public eye - allows it to be accessible to more than just the hardcore fan. That said, as an undeniable "Whovian" myself I still found lots in the book that felt fresh and not just a collection of oft-repeated anecdotes. In fact the contribution of (former Executive Producer) Mal Young alone has had more impact on me than any of the many books & articles written about the "wilderness years" of the series between the Sylvester McCoy era and the new Christopher Eccleston show in 2005. (You'll have to buy the book, I'll just quote three words here: "from 1997 onwards".)
There is input here from people close to the show, including past companions and production team members and people from the public eye such as Al Murray, Jonathan Ross and MP Louise Mensch. Everyone has their own anecdote about what the series means to them and it all feels very genuine and the complete opposite of a clichéd TV "talking heads" programme.... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By DarrenLeeC
Format:Hardcover
I had a wonderful time reading through the celebrity memories, recollections and anecdotes of Doctor Who contributed by those who have starred in and worked on the show, as well as those who have simply followed, watched and admired it!
My favourites? Nicola Bryant, Hugh Bonneville, Neil Gaiman, Shaun Dingwall, Robin Ince, Frances Barber and Julian Glover to name but a few.
I'm a big fan of books which can be dipped in and out of, this is one of those books. The memories are interceded with a selection of beautiful illustrations by Ben Morris.
I'm sure this will be making it's way into a lot of peoples Christmas stockings this year.
Final verdict: Buy it!
My favourites? Nicola Bryant, Hugh Bonneville, Neil Gaiman, Shaun Dingwall, Robin Ince, Frances Barber and Julian Glover to name but a few.
I'm a big fan of books which can be dipped in and out of, this is one of those books. The memories are interceded with a selection of beautiful illustrations by Ben Morris.
I'm sure this will be making it's way into a lot of peoples Christmas stockings this year.
Final verdict: Buy it!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A beautifully presented, lovingly edited and utterly enjoyable book that will delight every Doctor Who fan and supports a wonderful cause.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By J. Lee
Format:Hardcover
This book is a fantastic celebration of Doctor Who and the wonderful effect it has on its fans. There are more than 130 entries, describing fond memories of the programme. There are some expected names, such as Terrance Dicks, Katy Manning and Paul Cornell; but there are real surprises in there (such as Michael Grade!) to make you smile.
I say it is bittersweet, because it truly is. Although there are numerous entries which will warm your heart, there are some genuinely moving entries due to people who are no longer with us. Daniel Blythe's moving tribute to Lis Sladen had me really choked up.
If you are hesitating in any way, stop. Buy this book and you will not regret it in the slightest.
I say it is bittersweet, because it truly is. Although there are numerous entries which will warm your heart, there are some genuinely moving entries due to people who are no longer with us. Daniel Blythe's moving tribute to Lis Sladen had me really choked up.
If you are hesitating in any way, stop. Buy this book and you will not regret it in the slightest.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book
I promised Steve I'd buy a copy after I photographed him. I'm so glad I did! It's full of many heartwarming, funny and wonderful accounts of people's memories of Dr Who from many... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kelly
2.0 out of 5 stars
Celebrity snores
All a bit tedious, the usual suspects... yawn. Not what I was expecting, not much else I can say really
Published 3 months ago by Shaun Cryer
4.0 out of 5 stars
gift for my granddaughter
an interesting book and a fundraiser for alzheimers society - a good combination.
a recommended buy for Doctor Who fans.
a recommended buy for Doctor Who fans.
Published 3 months ago by LH
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great book
I pre-ordered this book as soon as I knew it was going ahead; a truly brilliant collection of celebrity recollections about their various associations, contributions and... Read more
Published 3 months ago by danofthewibble
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really lovely book!
A really heartwarming book full of a range of personal memories and associations about why the world's longest running sci-fi drama is so special. A highly entertaining read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book and it raises money for charity!
I really enjoyed this book.It is lovingly put together and gives insights into others thoughts on my favourite, and hopefully yours, programme. Read more
Published 4 months ago by DRKMWHO
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cracking Read
I enjoyed this book very much. Well put together and for a great cause. Would recommend to any Who fan.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. D. J. Carr
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant read
I originally bought this book for my son (10yrs) who is the biggest Dr Who fan ever! but he hasn't had a look in yet as I have been reading it!!!!!!! Read more
Published 4 months ago by rosie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
Great book for a good cause.
So many famous fans of Who sharing their memories, as well as Doctors and companions.... Read more
So many famous fans of Who sharing their memories, as well as Doctors and companions.... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Doug
5.0 out of 5 stars
But the book now!
If you're a fan of the fabulous show that is Doctor Who you really can't be without this book. It's such a brilliant concept and I really can't believe it's never been done... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MR CHRISTOPHER J MYERS
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