‘The knives are out’: Celebrity agent Melanie Blake says releasing her racy first novel has seen angry stars blow up her inbox as the nation tries to guess who the sexed-up characters in her book are
- Novel is based on scandal she’s had to cover up throughout her 20-year career
- She said what goes on off screen is ‘juicier’ than anything that is ever aired on TV
- Melanie represented likes of Patsy Kensit, Claire King and Beverley Callard
She made headlines after releasing her racy new book, Ruthless Women, which has become one of the most talked about novels of the year.
But celebrity agent Melanie Blake says ‘the knives are now out’ after angry celebs have been blowing up her inbox as the nation tries to guess who the sexed-up characters in her new work are.
The author said that her novel is based on much of the scandal she’s been forced to cover up throughout her 20-year career.
‘You should see some of my messages,’ she said, as reported by The Mirror, ‘Put it this way, the knives are out!’
Melanie Blake says ‘the knives are out’ after angry celebs have been blowing up her inbox as the nation tries to guess who the sexed-up characters in her new work are
The plot focuses on a cast trying to survive the reboot of soap opera Falcon Bay, and although the book is technically fiction, Melanie said she has ‘lived and breathed’ every scene.
She said: ‘Tragedy, bankruptcy, attempted suicides, criminal dealings – as an agent you see all that drama all the time. What goes on off-screen in real life is way juicer than anything that is ever aired, and that’s what I used to inspire the novel’s plot. They say write about what you know, so I did.’
In the book, the agent has to keep her clients under control, and having represented actresses like Stephanie Beacham, Gillian Taylforth, Patsy Kensit, Claire King and Beverley Callard during her career, it is no surprise Melanie know’s what she’s talking about.
But the writer, who has now sold more than 100,000 copies in the UK, is keeping her cards close to her chest on the identity of those sending her messages.
The author said that her novel is based on much of the scandal she’s been forced to cover up throughout her 20-year career as a celebrity agent
She said: ‘Oh I can’t name names, but I’m not going to deny I based some of the more vile characters on women I didn’t enjoy my time looking after. They are the ones now blowing up my inbox with rage, but I just laugh. Let’s call it karma!’
Melanie has insisted that her racy new novel based on her experiences working as a celebrity agent is ‘absolutely true.’
Melanie added that she’s staying tight-lipped on most of the stars who were the inspiration for characters in her fictional book, which focuses on a soap star in decline thanks to a vengeful TV executive from her past.
In a new interview with The Sun, Melanie said: ‘The things in the book are absolutely real. I’ve done so many things to protect stars that would shock viewers.
‘I’ve had clients on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, all over British soaps, and the stuff that I’ve covered up for them… I write about the things which I know about. Those characters are all alive.
‘Drink, drugs, sex, it’s all there, and some unbelievable nastiness, which comes with the industry.’
Melanie said she’s staying tight-lipped on most of the stars who were the inspiration for characters in her fictional book
Ruthless Women focuses on a soap star in her seventies, who sees her career decline drastically after a new TV boss demands revenge for a previous dispute, with characters becoming embroiled in sordid affairs and feuds.
While Melanie did not directly name any of the stars who were involved in the scandals that inspired her book, she said she has been supported by many former clients looking to speak about their experiences working in the industry.
The author began working as a junior runner on Top Of The Pops before landing herself a job as an extra on soaps, and after three years of television work got a trial stint as an agent for Emmerdale’s Claire King.
Melanie said she impressed Claire by bargaining to get her a magazine deal, and within weeks was signed by a slew of other stars including Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard, with whom she remains close friends.
But despite close unions with stars, Melanie admitted she wasn’t best friends with all her clients, and was even contacted during her mother’s funeral to handle an issue caused by an actor.
Despite progression in representation thanks to the #MeToo movement, Melanie said she stills feels that older women in particular face even more challenges in the soap industry.
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