Kelly Holmes: Unique - A Memoir

In her most personal book yet, Dame Kelly Holmes tells the true story behind her extraordinary life from army recruit to Olympic hero and much-loved TV personality. She reveals how she has managed to find happiness and inner peace as she has opened herself to a world where she is finally free to be herself and proud.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 09 November 2023
Publisher: Mirror Books

In her most personal book yet, Dame Kelly Holmes shares the incredible story of her extraordinary life, from her days as an army recruit to her triumphs as an Olympic hero and beloved TV personality. Last year, Dame Kelly bravely came out as gay, revealing that for the first 52 years of her life, she had lived in constant fear. Now, in a heart-wrenching and inspiring new memoir, she shares her journey from hiding her sexuality as a young soldier at a time when being gay in the military was illegal to her fears of being outed on the podium at the Athens Olympics, the games that catapulted her to fame as a double-gold medallist. Dame Kelly candidly discusses how she has found happiness and inner peace by embracing a world where she is finally free to be herself and proud. In the past year, she has become an unofficial ambassador for the LGBT community, earning the affection of viewers nationwide as a regular panelist on ITV's Loose Women. This honest memoir is a testament to self-discovery, resilience, and learning to be true to oneself. Dame Kelly reflects on her journey: "80,000 people were chanting my name as I stood on top of a double-decker bus and did a victory lap of my hometown. I had won two Olympic gold medals, the first woman in the UK to ever do that, and I should have been on top of the world at my homecoming parade. But even in that magical moment, I had this deep fear that someone was going to go to the media and out me for being gay. All my life, I lived with that fear and anxiety of not being accepted if I lived publicly as my true self. But 18 years later, I was standing on stage in Trafalgar Square at London Pride, and people were chanting my name. It was a moment of pure joy and validation, and I knew that I had finally come home." Dame Kelly's story is a powerful reminder that true happiness comes from embracing our authentic selves, regardless of the obstacles we may face. Her bravery in sharing her journey has inspired countless others to live authentically and fearlessly, and her impact on the LGBT community is immeasurable. This honest memoir is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, courage, and a glimpse into the remarkable life of a true hero.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915306463