The Showgirl and the Prince by Ruthie Henshall

What happens when an ordinary girl falls for a charming prince? In this funny, honest and at times heartbreaking memoir, musical theatre star Ruthie Henshall reveals all.

Today Ruthie is an award-winning West End and Broadway star, known for the emotional power of her performance. In 1987, she was at the start of her career, a lycra-clad chorus girl in Cats (third feline from the left, back row). Which is when she met Prince Edward, who had just started to work for Andrew Lloyd Webber. Edward is kind and thoughtful. Ruthie is warm, flirty, prone to telling risqué jokes and hiding the impact of childhood trauma. Within weeks they are dating.

Ruthie recreates a seminal period in her life, as she navigates a discreet five-year relationship with Prince Edward while determinedly following her dream to land a leading role. She shares hilarious backstage gossip from some of the era’s biggest musicals, including Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and Crazy for You, rocks up to Buckingham Palace in dungarees over a leotard (the height of 80s fashion), has tea at Windsor with the Queen and charms Prince Philip at Balmoral. But will she fine her happy ever after?

Nostalgic and poignant, The Showgirl and the Prince is also a relatable story of young woman struggling to find her way.