What Are You Doing Here?: My Autobiography

Baroness Floella Benjamin is a member of the House of Lords and a well-known actress and children's television presenter. She shares her journey of coming to London as a child, facing racism, and the love of her parents that helped her overcome it. She also discusses her career, including her role in Hair and her advocacy for diversity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Winner at the 2022 Parliamentary Book Awards, Baroness Floella Benjamin is an inspiration, actress, and much-loved children's television presenter who is a member of the House of Lords. But how did the girl from Trinidad end up lunching with the Queen?

In her autobiography, "What Are You Doing Here?" Floella describes arriving in London as a child, part of the Windrush generation, and the pain caused by the racism she encountered every day. It was offset by the love of her parents, who gave her the pride in her heritage, self-belief, and confidence that have carried her through life. From winning a role in groundbreaking musical Hair (while clearly stating she would not take her clothes off) to breaking down barriers on Play School, from refusing to be typecast in roles to speaking out for diversity at the BBC and BAFTA, she has remained true to herself.

She also reveals how she met husband Keith, became a mother of two, was befriended by Kenneth Williams, hugged President Obama, and found a purpose that would underpin everything she did - campaigning for the needs of children. Sharing the lessons she has learned, imbued with her joy and positivity, this autobiography is the moving testimony of a remarkable woman.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 163 x 244 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529071054