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Virgin acquires 'Big Mo'

13.09.12 | Charlotte Williams

Virgin Books has acquired a memoir by actress Laila Morse, best known for her role as Big Mo in "EastEnders".

Virgin editorial director Kate Moore bought world rights in the book from Creative Artists Management. Virgin will publish as a royal hardback on 31st January 2013, with a b-format paperback to follow in spring 2014.

Born Maureen Oldman in 1945, Morse is the sister of actor Gary Oldman, who cast her in her first role in "Nil by Mouth".

As well as her acting career, the book will take in Morse's personal life, including challenges such as surviving breast cancer in 2001, and her son being jailed in May this year for stealing her car and then crashing it, high on drink and drugs.

Moore said: "I am beyond thrilled to be publishing Laila's autobiography. It has an incredible mix of hard-hitting grit and rags-to-riches inspiration, all told in Laila's no-nonsense, funny, down-to-earth tone.

"It's going to be a really special book and I'm extremely proud to be publishing it and working with such an extraordinary woman."

• Charlotte Williams
• EastEnders
• Media
• Rights deal
• TV
• Virgin