Diana Dors, Author
Diana Dors may be remembered first as an actress, entertainer and television personality, sometimes even a singer, but what is often overlooked is just how much she loved to write. Her first autobiography, Swingin’ Dors, was published back in 1960, although it was ghostwritten, and even then she made it clear that one day she wanted to write entirely in her own words. She would regularly contribute articles to newspapers and magazines, and even toyed with the idea of writing a novel; she already had the title, "Mink and Millions." Sadly, her early death at just 52 meant the dream of fiction was never realised, and you can’t help but wonder what might have been had she been given more time.
But in the 1970s and early 80s, Diana finally began to write in earnest, producing four books entirely on her own. These books reveal a side of her that went beyond the glamour and the stardom, sharp, witty, honest, and full of insight. They show that writing wasn’t just a sideline for her, it was another real passion, and through those words she left behind, we get to hear Diana’s true voice, unfiltered and completely her own.
Swingin' Dors - 1960
Diana Dors’s first memoir Swingin’ Dors was as bold and cheeky as its title suggested. Ghostwritten but full of her trademark sparkle, it rattles through her early rise to stardom, film roles, cabaret shows, wild parties, messy marriages, and all the tabloid drama that came with being Britain’s blonde bombshell. It’s not deep or serious, but that’s the fun of it, more gossip and glamour than reflection. What you get is a snappy, no-nonsense slice of 1960s celebrity life, told with all the mischief and charm that made Dors such a star.
For Adults Only - 1978
In For Adults Only, Dors switches things up with an A–Z format, using each letter to share stories, reflections, and little slices of her life. It’s a mix of funny, sad, and surprisingly open moments, everything from her career highs and travels to family life and the people who shaped her world. The structure makes it feel light and breezy, but there’s also warmth and honesty running through it. It’s witty, candid, and playful, just like Our Dors herself!
Behind Closed Dors - 1979
Diana Dors’s 1979 memoir Behind Closed Dors is a playful, gossipy read, set out in an A–Z format (the same as For Adults Only) that’s packed with juicy stories, candid confessions, and cheeky observations about the people she knew, from aristocrats to Hollywood names. It’s full of wit, scandal, and even some rare photos, making it feel part diary, part scrapbook. Not highbrow by any means, but that’s the charm, what you get is a breezy, entertaining glimpse into Dors’s world, told with the same mischief and sparkle she was known for.
Dors by Diana - 1981
With Dors by Diana, she finally tells her life story in full, and it feels more personal and heartfelt than the earlier books. There’s plenty of glamour and career talk, but what really stands out are her brutally honest accounts of her marriages, chaotic, tender, sometimes tragic, and the resilience it took to keep going. The photos scattered throughout add to the scrapbook feel, making it part confession, part keepsake. It’s Dors at her most open, sharing the laughter and the heartbreak in equal measure. It's also my personal favourite.
A - Z of Men - 1984
Her last book, Diana Dors A–Z of Men, is pure fun, sharp, cheeky, and full of knowing humour. She works her way through the alphabet with stories and observations about every type of man she’s encountered, from the charming to the hopeless. It’s witty, playful, and a little bit wicked, the kind of book that feels like having a glass of wine with her while she spills the best (and worst) about the opposite sex. A fitting swan song, mischievous, lively, and unmistakably Diana.
