The Champ & The Chump: A heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family
James McNicholas
Aug 2021 · Headline · Narrated by James McNicholas
5.0star
3 reviewsreport
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9 hr 8 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook
A heart-warming, hilarious true story about fighting and family, based on the acclaimed stage show. For fans of books by Dave Gorman, James Acaster and Danny Wallace, along with boxing tales from the likes of Tyson Fury and Ricky Hatton.
The Champ
Terry Downes - known as 'The Paddington Express' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters' favourite and latter-day film star and businessman.
The Chump
James McNicholas's PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he'd be dead by the time he was 23. James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant spells working as a painter-decorator and river cruise salesperson.
After Terry's death, James finds himself in reflective mood, comparing how he's doing in life to how his grandad was at that age. What follows is an increasingly colourful journey that takes James from post-war Paddington to the blood-soaked canvases of Baltimore and Whitechapel, via Mayfair parties with the Krays and betting shop bust-ups, as he discovers the truth about his grandfather's extraordinary life.
Along the way he begins to dig into his own story, confronting the family addictions that blighted his early years, describing his often-hilarious efforts to make it in the world of showbiz, and attempts to recreate Terry's trials by enlisting in a brutal army boot camp and boxing gym. When James is diagnosed with a frightening and mysterious neurological condition, the two stories of the fighter and the writer suddenly collide, and what began as a nostalgic journey takes on a far more important significance.
(P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Limited
The Champ
Terry Downes - known as 'The Paddington Express' - was a world champion boxer, US Marine, gangsters' favourite and latter-day film star and businessman.
The Chump
James McNicholas's PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he'd be dead by the time he was 23. James has spent his life pursuing a career in acting and comedy. In reality, that has meant spells working as a painter-decorator and river cruise salesperson.
After Terry's death, James finds himself in reflective mood, comparing how he's doing in life to how his grandad was at that age. What follows is an increasingly colourful journey that takes James from post-war Paddington to the blood-soaked canvases of Baltimore and Whitechapel, via Mayfair parties with the Krays and betting shop bust-ups, as he discovers the truth about his grandfather's extraordinary life.
Along the way he begins to dig into his own story, confronting the family addictions that blighted his early years, describing his often-hilarious efforts to make it in the world of showbiz, and attempts to recreate Terry's trials by enlisting in a brutal army boot camp and boxing gym. When James is diagnosed with a frightening and mysterious neurological condition, the two stories of the fighter and the writer suddenly collide, and what began as a nostalgic journey takes on a far more important significance.
(P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Limited
Ratings and reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Anton Bjurvald
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August 26, 2021
I have listened to the author reading his book and it is really good, very funny (and punny) but also pretty gut wrenching at times. Big props to James for opening up about his struggles. Mental issues is still one of our biggest stigmas and I believe that can only be remedied by people talking about their journeys. If it can be this entertaining at the same time, all the better! So a very recommended read/listen! I bought it from Google Play and will be giving it to my mum for Christmas in physical form!
Sean Pek
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September 16, 2021
Great book
About the author
JAMES MCNICHOLAS is a writer and performer based in London. As a screenwriter, he has credits with BBC, ITV & BBC Radio 4. His live comedy show 'The Boxer' was named in the 'Top 10 Comedy Shows of 2019' (The Guardian). Alongside his comedy, James is a sports journalist for The Athletic and co-host of the award-winning Arsecast Extra podcast.
TERRY DOWNES became world middleweight boxing champion in 1961. Known as 'The Paddington Express', he emigrated to Baltimore and served in the US Marines, before his boxing career brought him back to the UK. In his later years, he was an actor and successful businessman. At the time of his death in 2017, Terry was the UK's oldest living boxing world champion.
TERRY DOWNES became world middleweight boxing champion in 1961. Known as 'The Paddington Express', he emigrated to Baltimore and served in the US Marines, before his boxing career brought him back to the UK. In his later years, he was an actor and successful businessman. At the time of his death in 2017, Terry was the UK's oldest living boxing world champion.
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