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George Baker is the quintessential English leading man. Familiar to television audiences as the charismatic Chief Inspector Wexford in ITV's 'The Ruth Rendell Mysteries', his acting career spans more than fifty years and includes myriad stage roles as well as countless appearances on big and small screen.
But George Baker was actually born in Bulgaria, in Varna on the edge of the Black Sea, where he spent his early childhood and first decided to become an actor. His Balkan upbringing was unconventional and happy, though curtailed by the outbreak of war.
Waving his father goodbye, he left Bulgaria with his mother and siblings and, in a dramatic journey across Europe, escaped to England just as France fell to the Nazis. He never saw his father again.
Throughout the difficult years that followed, the young George cooked for his family, and looked after his brothers and sister while his mother worked. He fell in love with books, especially poetry, and discovered a talent for getting on with people.
He also nurtured his dream of becoming an actor, which came to fruition in 1947 when he made his acting debut. He has been involved in the theatre, films and television ever since, and over the years has worked with some of the all-time great performers and directors, writers and producers, from the West End to Broadway, in an unpredictably eventful life, both on and off stage.
'The Way To Wexford' is a warm and witty memoir by one of Britain's best-loved personalities.
