For Josh Harper, being in show-business means everything he ever wanted - money, fame, a beautiful wife, a lead role on the London stage. For Stephen C. McQueen, on the other hand, it means a disastrous career playing passers-by and dead people. He's stuck with an unfortunate name, a hopeless agent, a daughter he barely knows, and a job as understudy to Josh Harper, the 12th Sexiest Man in the World. And things get even more difficult when Stephen falls in love with Josh's clever, funny wife Nora. But might there yet be a way for Stephen to get his Big Break? The Understudy is a scintillating comedy of ambition, celebrity, jealousy and love.

About the Author
David Nicholls's TV credits include the third series of Cold Feet, Rescue Me, and I Saw You. He was co-writer for the film adaptation of Simpatico, which starred Nick Nolte, Jeff Bridges and Sharon Stone. David's bestselling first novel, STARTER FOR TEN, was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club in 2004, and David is writing the screenplays for forthcoming film versions of both STARTER FOR TEN and THE UNDERSTUDY. Most recently, David has written a modern version of Much Ado About Nothing for BBC TV, as part of a Shakespeare season to be screened in 2005.

Reviews
'This bitterly funny book is a delightful reminder of how much acting we all do in the name of love.' -- Alex Lightfoor, Observer 20050508 'A funny, moving tale, which manages to be romantic and cynical ... Guarantees you a few laughs.' -- Leicester Mercury 20050426 'A zippy comedy with laugh-out-loud lines, grounded on a solid plot and first-rate dialogue...irresistible' -- Daily Mail 20050408 'Bitterly funny' -- Observer 20050508 'A comic genius' -- Maria Beaumont on David Nicholls 20050211 'Darkly funny and oddly romantic.' -- More 20050501 'An unusual mix of cynicism and romance - no slush, just lots of laughs!' -- Company 20050505 'A brilliantly funny book.' -- Marie Claire 20050505 'Hugely entertaining with a high ratio of chuckles and snorts per chapter.' -- Good Book Guide 20050405 'I adored THE UNDERSTUDY. It's a fantastic comedy ... delightfully written.' -- New Woman 20050401 'A funky, less-fluffy-than-funny rom com.' -- Metro 20050414 'Deeply funny, with brilliant dialogue.' -- Good Housekeeping 20050401 'Sweet and funny.' -- Eve 20050505 Book of the Month -- Red 20050501 'Highly enjoyable ... both knowing and charming.' -- Mirror Ticket 20050325 'Both hilarious and heartbreaking.' -- Hannah Stephenson, various regional papers inc 20050329 'I laughed a lot' -- Jeremy Paxman on STARTER FOR TEN 20050329 'Moving, wickedly observed, warm, uplifting and above all blindingly funny, STARTER FOR TEN hits the spot time after time. Read this book' -- Jack on STARTER FOR TEN 20050329 'Brilliant... we would recommend it to anyone' -- Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on STARTER FOR T 20050329 'Brilliant, brilliant David Starter for Ten" Nicholls has done it again. I roared at this fantastic story of the less-than-glam side of 'The Business'.' -- Rosie Fiore, Mango Book club 20050329



Book Information
ISBN 9780340896259
Author David Nicholls
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 217g
Dimensions(mm) 25mm * 111mm * 176mm