We recently posted about the release of Tabloid Girl - the memoir about working as tabloid reporter by Sharon Marshall. Sharon worked as a journalist for ten years, moving from various departments until she landed in Showbiz. Tabloid Girl documents her career in newspapers from starting out as a fresh-faced shifter to fighting her way to the top, finding herself in numerous odd situations (such as rifling through Simon Cowell's underwear drawer) and times of stress in order to get the story.
I love these tell-all memoirs and previously enjoyed Wicked Whispers (Jessica Callan's account of being one of the Mirror's 3am Girls) and Piers Morgan's The Insider. Both offered a fabulous insight into the world of red-top reporting. And Sharon's offering is equally as pleasing.
Sharon gained her first job at a London paper by bringing in beer and refusing to move until she spoke to the editor, who let her join the next day. Starting out in journalism is difficult enough - even harder when you're after a highly coveted job at a London-based, national tabloid. But Sharon makes it in. Due t her offering of alcohol, she's given a job as a 'shifter' - one of many wannabe hacks drafted in for casual work, and like a rather cruel game of Big Brother, fight for their jobs until a staff vacancy arises - or until they're dismissed. The shifters are sent on all manner of jobs (such as going to Jeremy Paxman's house to try and ask him about his alleged affair...) and if the scoop is not delivered, they're out. Needless to say, Sharon is willing to do whatever it takes to stay in her dream job, rather than face heading back to Lancashire a failure, dealing with her mothers' questions about her lack of a future husband. Job it is. But is working as a tabloid hack really everything she thought it would be?
What Sharon has to do over the coming months (and years) during her stint in the tabloids is shocking to say the least. Donning rubber dresses to hang out at fetish parties is all a normal part of the day job for Sharon and her colleagues. It's no wonder she's unlucky in the boyfriend department. Let's face it, 'what did you do at work today?' conversations don't always go down too well. But for a trainee tabloid girl, hookers, fake husbands, swinger parties and investigations seemingly worthy of MI5 (albeit in fancy dress) are all regular aspects of the job role.
Couple this with her annoying flatmate, angry boss and overly-ambitious colleagues to deal with...
Sharon details the truths and tricks behind the newspaper trade, such as how far celebrities actually go to get themselves into the pages, how to kidnap interviewees, how to get the best scoops and of course, what to do when drunk on the job...
Tabloid Girl dispels the myth that showbiz journalism is one glitzy affair full of celebrity parties and champagne. It's a hard job, complete with rivalry, lack of a social life, and constant 'bollockings' from the boss.
Having always been interested in what goes on behind some of the nation's favourite red-tops, I read this book with interest and amazement, realising just how hard it can actually be. Tabloid Girl is a witty, insightful book packed with some great stories and revelations about the hard-hitting world of journalism.
Sadly, Sharon doesn't reveal the names of the celebs in her tales, but they'll definitely keep you wondering. My only complaint about Sharon Marshall's book? I wish she'd told us more!
Rating: 5/5
Try this if you liked: Wicked Whispers by Jessica Callan
