All of Me by Barbara Windsor.

Published by Headline Book Publishing Ltd. £6.99. IN this day and age when so-called celebrities have often only just reached puberty, we know it cannot be long before they write their story.

And that is what makes Barbara Windsor's book so refreshing -- even before you pick it up!

The actress has not only had a varied career that has had more than its fair share of ups and downs, but her personal life is also well documented for its scandal and trauma.

Now aged 64, the diminutive figure displays the touching honesty that has always seemed to be an endearing quality.

It is this, and a down to earth demeanour, that has always meant the British public has never had a problem taking her to their hearts.

In All of Me, Barbara displays both qualities.

There is no glossing over difficult or even distasteful periods in her life. She tells it as it is -- the men she has had notorious affairs with, including Carry On co-star Sid James, the mistakes, and the brushes with the law as the ex-wife of one of the country's best known villains.

Even her present day marriage to a man much younger than her is depicted with a touching honesty.

And all this, before even mentioning those famous Carry On films, and latterly her time as one of the central characters, Peggy Mitchell, in Eastenders.

This is a terrific read which has you galloping through the pages, from a traumatic childhood through the early days in theatre, on to television, film, those Carry On successes, and finally her current status as soap star.

In the book, Barbara shows a vulnerability, an honesty and a touching amount of naivety.

It is difficult not to be caught up in the life of this actress whose life is far juicier than any script the soaps could dream up.