{"product_id":"basil-bitches-in-stitches-1","title":"Basil! Bitches in Stitches - The Extraordinary Life and Times of an Irrepressible Blackpool Icon","description":"\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #5e6e82; font-family: 'Open Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);\"\u003eMoving, hilarious and often outrageous, the life of Blackpool's favourite gay entrepreneur will leave you speechless at his antics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #5e6e82; font-family: 'Open Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);\"\u003eThe inimitable BASIL NEWBY tells his life story in his own words, from growing up surrounded by showbiz stars to becoming a pioneer in Blackpool's alternative scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #5e6e82; font-family: 'Open Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);\"\u003eSinglehandedly he turned a traditional seaside resort into a gay-friendly mecca with his six celebrated clubs and bars, including the much loved Flamingo and internationally renowned Funny Girls drag \u0026amp; cabaret show that endeared him to millions. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #5e6e82; font-family: 'Open Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);\"\u003eWith his salty end-of-the-pier humour Basil introduces an eccentric cast of characters that guarantees plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, such as Bridget the midget, Legs-up Lucy and a bevy of fabulous transvestite show girls, as well as more traditional celebs including Paul O'Grady, Bea Arthur, Grace Jones and Boy George.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #5e6e82; font-family: 'Open Sans', -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol'; font-size: 14px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.85);\"\u003eOnce derided for 'promoting homosexuality' and accused of being an 'unfit and improper person' by the authorities, Basil had the last laugh by becoming a fierce defender of Britain's brashest seaside town, a maverick businessman and a lightning rod for gay activism. Rewarded with an MBE in 2013, even King Charles called him \"Mr Blackpool\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"In The Pink Press","offers":[{"title":"Perfect Bound","offer_id":68237652394288,"sku":"9781037200076","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0262\/2357\/5085\/files\/9781037200076.jpg?v=1793626244","url":"https:\/\/www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk\/products\/basil-bitches-in-stitches-1","provider":"The Great British Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}