About Anneke Wills
Anneke was born on October 20th, 1941, in Berkshire, to rather eccentric parents, and had a childhood that veered from idyllic to traumatic. She won her first role (in the film 'Childs Play') at the age of 11 while living on a houseboat in Bray, Berkshire; she gave the £9 fee to her mother. Deciding she wanted to be an actress she then studied drama at the Arts Educational School in London and quickly became one of the busiest actresses of her generation, early roles included an appearance as Roberta in the first TV version of The Railway Children in 1957.
At 17 she began a relationship with Anthony Newley while working on the TV series The Strange World of Gurney Slade. Later, she married the distinguished actor Michael Gough. During the sixties Anneke spent much of her time at the famous Troubadour Coffee Shop and The Establishment, and was part of the so-called Chelsea Set, counting among her close friends Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, The Alberts, Sammy Davis Junior, Angela Douglas and Kenneth More, Mary Quant, Sarah Miles and many more leading lights of the Sixties.
In 1966 she was offered her role in Doctor Who and life seemed perfect for the young actress. She appeared in the show from 1966 to 1967 alongside both William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton as the Doctor - the first in a long line of glamorous Doctor Who girls. Other television credits include appearances in The Avengers and as Evelyn in Strange Report. In 1970 Anneke gave up acting and moved to Norfolk, throwing herself into motherhood and gardening. During the seventies she travelled to Vietnam and Laos, and lived in Poona, India, at the ashram of spiritual leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
Michael Gough's infidelity and possessive nature led to the end of their marriage in the late 1970s. While living in California, Anneke endured unbearable tragedy - the sudden death of her daughter - and two more unorthodox marriages. She returned to the folds of Doctor Who in the nineties, which led to worldwide travels, emotional reunions and new adventures. With a supporting cast of eccentric friends, spiritual leaders, distinguished actors, pioneers of new thought and Doctor Who fans, Anneke’s story is truly stranger than fiction. To this day, Anneke’s life continues to be unpredictable and bizarre.
She is still involved in the worlds of Doctor Who, being a popular guest at conventions, and being employed by the BBC and Big Finish to record various Doctor Who related audio and DVD projects.
www.annekewills.com
© Hirst Publishing 2010
'Self Portrait'
This is a moving, witty and candid account of a fascinating life among the talents who defined the swinging sixties. Appearing in ground-breaking television from an early age, Anneke Wills was one of the busiest actresses of the 1960s – her role as Polly establishing a template for one of television's most iconic and prized roles – the glamorous Doctor Who girl. This is a beautifully written story of a unique childhood, life at the heart of swinging sixties London, and a turbulent marriage to a leading actor. Anneke’s life revolved around the eccentrics, actors, film-makers, painters, designers, poets, satirists and drunks who were changing the world. She counted among her friends the leading lights of the time – from Peter Cook to Sammy Davis Jnr. Illustrated in full colour with previously unseen photographs and Anneke’s own drawings and paintings, this is the story of a rich and colourful life, and the growth of a truly remarkable woman.
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'Naked'
In the second volume of her autobiography, Anneke’s familiar, intimate style tells her story as she leaves the limelight of television for rural family life. Fully embracing the liberal zeitgeist of the seventies, she lives ‘The Good Life’ in the idyllic countryside of Norfolk, travels to India and becomes a disciple of the notorious spiritual teacher Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. In the 1980s, she lives among unique artists on a small Canadian Island, works as a designer and gardener in California, endures unbearable tragedy and two more unorthodox marriages. She returns to the folds of Doctor Who in the nineties, which leads to worldwide travels, emotional reunions and new adventures. This 37 year voyage, filled with tears, laughter and discovery, will leave you breathless. With a supporting cast of eccentric friends, spiritual leaders, distinguished actors, pioneers of new thought and Doctor Who fans, Anneke’s story is truly stranger than fiction.To this day, Anneke’s life continues to be unpredictable and bizarre. This book – hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure – brings us up to 2008, laying bare the story of a true renaissance woman. As with the first book, 'Naked' is in full colour and includes rare personal photos and Anneke's own artwork.
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Anneke Wills - One extraordinary life. Two breathtaking books. Countless adventures.
