Fans believe Chris Foote Wood's decision goes against Victoria's wish to keep her personal life private
VIEWERS flocked to Twitter to share their frustration after Victoria Wood's brother appeared on Lorraine to defend his explosive tell-all book about the beloved star.
Chris Foote Wood is releasing a new biography about the late comic and opens up about her 'unhappy' childhood, branding her as 'overweight and lonely'.
The writer appeared on Lorraine on Wednesday morning to explain why he went ahead with the book despite failing to receive her children's approval.
He stated: "I wanted to write the book because she is such an important person in our cultural life and I'm in a unique position to judge what she did. We weren't close but we cared for one another. From my perspective I stand back and look at her whole career and explain how she did it and why she did it."
When quizzed about the fact Victoria had been a very private person, Chris admitted he was saddened to have upset her fans.
He explained to Lorraine: "They were upset about quotes I used from my father's journals which he wrote during his life. What he [Stanley Wood] wrote 50 years ago seems a bit cruel but this was by a man born before the first world war. But I decided to postpone the book and rewrite it by taking out his quotes.
Fans immediately reacted to his appearance as one wrote: "I bet poor Victoria Wood is turning in her grave!"
Another added: "Although #victoriawood's brother is donating £ to charity. I feel uneasy about someone else opening the doors on her whole life."
Chris was adamant that his sister had spoken about her childhood in the past as he told Lorraine: "Victoria herself said it later on in life, she was able look back and say I was overweight and unhappy as a teenager. So I think it is perfectly legitimate for me to quote things she said about herself. It is an essential part of her story. Before she had success, she had many years of struggle. This book is about that."
He continued: "Her children are working on an official biography and I look forward to that. Any money I make from this book is going to charities that Victoria associated with."
Victoria passed away from cancer aged just 62 in April this year.
Her illness remained a secret until after her death and the exact form of cancer she suffered has never been revealed.
Even her funeral arrangements remained closely guarded by her former husband and their children, who were at home with her when she died in Highgate, north London.
A site has been agreed and Bury Council will maintain the statue once erected.
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