He banned TV and on Top of the Pops
written on the floor of the Top of the Pops studio. Not surprisingly, she story, entitled The Thunder Girls, follows a girl group who reunite to seek their revenge on the music industry.
Chrissie, Roxanne, Carly and Anita are Eighties pop sensation outselling and outclassing their competition. Until it all comes to an abrupt end and three of their careers are over, along with their friendship.
Thirty years later, their old record label wants the band back together for a huge money-making concert. But the wounds are deep and some need this gig more than others.
In those decades apart, life was far from the dream that they had been living as members of The Thunder Girls. Breakdowns, bankruptcy, addiction and divorce played a constant part in their lives. They’ve been to hell and back, and some of them are still there.
Each Thunder Girl is hungry to revive their past success, but what they don’t know is that someone is watching their every move and is determined to stop them succeeding – in the deadliest way possible.
Melanie says: ‘‘I know the women of Birmingham will love the book because my main characters take no crap, and nether do Brummie women!’’
The book, out now, has been sold to 36 countries, and the world premier of the stage adaptation – starring Beverley Callard, Coleen Nolan, Carol Harrison and Mina Anward – has already sold out at the Lowry Theatre.
It’s coming to Birmingham next year. Dates will be announced in September.
Melanie adds: ‘‘Whenever any of our actors tour they are always so excited to reach Birmingham because the audiences are so passionate.’’
But that’s not all. Three Hollywood studios are currently fighting it out for the rights of the story, with a view to making The Thunder Girls into a film, Melanie says.
“I feel like I have gone from nought to 60 miles per hour and it’s a really weird feeling,” she added.
“The best revenge I ever got was success.”
Sadly not everyone has made the journey with her – Melanie’s mum died of cancer in 2011.
“I will never get mum back, or my childhood, but I have right now,” Melanie said.
“I just take some comfort in knowing that mum had finally built up the courage to leave my dad seven years earlier, so at least she had some good years before she died.”
Melanie hopes that by opening up about her story, she can inspire others to realise it’s never too late to follow your dreams.
“I never thought I would achieve what I have after such a difficult childhood,” says Melanie. “But I’m living proof that it can be done. Thunder Girls is definitely the cherry on top.”
In its review of Thunder Girls, Bella Magazine wrote: ‘‘Melanie Blake is Jackie Collins for a new generation.’’
In 2017, after Jackie’s death, Melanie bought five pieces of Jackie’s jewellery at auction – two rings and three necklaces inlayed with morganite, citrines and diamonds – which she wears every day.
She hopes Jackie would have enjoyed The Thunder Girls novel and that she’d have been proud that she inspired Melanie’s journey to the top.
The Thunder Girls by PanMacmillan is released on July 11. It was an Amazon No.1 Bestseller on pre-sales alone.