How ‘Britain’s Marilyn Monroe’ inspired Gemma Arterton’s new show
New TV show Funny Woman is based on the Nick Hornby novel Funny Girl. That in turn was heavily inspired by Blackpool beauty queen Norma Ann Sykes.
Gemma Arterton plays working-class Barbara, who refuses to audition for the Carry On films because she doesn’t want “everything to be about my knockers”.
Gemma met Hornby, who told her he was inspired by real events and real people. One was Norma Ann Sykes, whose incredible figure — and a change of name to Sabrina — turned her into a global sensation.
At 14, Norma contracted polio and spent two years in hospital where she almost lost a leg. Fearing she would never walk again, doctors prescribed hours of muscle-building exercises and swimming.
The workouts transformed Norma from a sickly seven-stone child into a stunning blonde with a 41-inch bust, a tiny 18-inch waist, 36-inch hips — and a thirst for fame.
She became famous for being famous — decades before Kim Kardashian — and was soon receiving 1,000 fan letters a week and making £100-a-time personal appearances.
Sabrina partied with Elvis in Vegas and Frank Sinatra in Palm Springs. But in 1967, she gave up showbiz, married a wealthy US gynaecologist and moved into his mansion in Encino, California.