12:00pm Monday 2nd December 2002
DESPITE the blaze of controversy that surrounds her latest book, television celebrity Ulrika Jonsson took time out to sign copies of it at Asda Wal-Mart.
The Swedish star, 35, caused a stir when shoppers at the Haydon Wick superstore caught a glimpse of her signing copies of the controversial hardback book, Honest.
A huge huddle of shoppers swarmed around the small table where Ulrika was sat to get a good look at the woman who has been at the centre of so much recent media speculation.
Flanked by several burly security guards the perma-tanned star laughed and joked with shoppers who queued in scores for their chance to share some idle chitchat and buy copies of the book for Christmas presents.
Others jostled for a prime position at the entrance of the superstore to grab a quick photograph.
Her book caused a storm when it hit the shelves because of allegations that she was raped. Many have criticised the mother-of-two for choosing to make the revelations in her book.
But that did not seem to bother shoppers on Saturday, especially Kate Bowd, 26, who was at the store with her three-year-old daughter Sophie. Kate said: "I went in to do some shopping and saw Ulrika sat there signing copies of her new book. I asked her to sign a Christmas card and she posed for a photo with Sophie I thought she was really nice."
Born in Sollentuna, Stockholm, Ulrika first shot to fame as a weather girl on TV-AM in 1983 and has appeared in numerous television shows since, including Gladiators, Shooting Stars, The National Lottery, Men for Sale and Mr Right.
Her book has more than a touch of a woman scorned about it, best illustrated when Ulrika says, "a woman is like a tea bag. It's not until she's in hot water that you realise how strong she is."
In the book's no-nonsense and hard-hitting introduction Ulrika writes: "I have been married, divorced, faithful and unfaithful. I have battled with depression and enjoyed moments of bliss. I have had an abortion, I have been raped and I have stripteased.
"I have told black lies and white lies. I have loved myself and loathed myself. I have surrendered my body and soul for two other lives my children's.
"Throughout my life, my exterior and my interior have done battle not just on account of being born one nationality and living quote another, or indeed of having parents at opposing ends of the personality spectrum, but also on account of having lived my life very publicly for some 14 years."
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