Lulu, the iconic British singer who shot to fame in the 1960s with her hit Shout, has opened up in a deeply personal way about her life, her fears, and her struggles with alcohol.
In an exclusive excerpt from her upcoming memoir If Only You Knew, set for release on September 25, Lulu reflects on how fame came early—and how it left her grappling with fears about intimacy and adulthood.
At 76, she candidly admits that while her career skyrocketed, she spent much of her youth afraid of sex, a topic rarely discussed in her home and shrouded in shame.
Battling Intimacy Fears Amid Teenage Stardom
In the memoir, Lulu reveals that the idea of sex made her feel “very self-conscious.” She preferred to wait for love rather than rush into physical relationships.
“I wasn’t a fan. I was a musician. But, the truth is, I was also afraid of sex,” she writes.
“It had never been openly discussed in my home, and my mother made it seem almost shameful. I wanted love, I wanted romance, but I was just scared of the reality.”
Despite having boyfriends—including Alex Bell from the Luvvers and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits—none of her relationships went further than a goodnight kiss, largely because school and biology lessons had passed her by.
Lulu explains that teenage conversations about intimacy, which are common in films today, simply didn’t exist in her world.
Celebrity Crushes and Youthful Adventures
Lulu also shares a playful memory of her teenage crush on rock and blues legend Eric Clapton.
She threw a party hoping to see him among other music stars, nervously watching him enter before finally sharing a late-night chat and a smoke outside.
Her story captures the mix of teenage longing and the glamour of the 1960s music scene.
A Journey Through Alcoholism and Recovery
For the first time, Lulu has spoken openly about her struggles with alcoholism.
The Eurovision star revealed that she spent years facing “dark” moments, shame, and eventually rehab.
“I was a secret drinker. I think I always wanted to be Miss Perfect, the ‘best Lulu,’ and I was terrified of being like my father,” she explained.
She admits her drinking worsened after menopause and as her children left home.
Alcohol became a crutch as she navigated the pressures of fame and the emptiness of her “empty nest.”
Childhood Trauma and Family Struggles
Lulu’s memoir also sheds light on the difficult dynamics of her upbringing.
She recalls witnessing violent domestic abuse between her parents and the shame she carried about their struggles.
“It’s a family illness. The gene is there,” she writes.
She acknowledges that while her parents were “damaged,” her own struggles were amplified by years of suppressing emotions while maintaining a professional image.
Life Today and Looking Forward
Now in a brighter chapter of her life, Lulu lives in central London with her beloved cockapoo.
She has been married twice—first to Maurice Gibb and then to John Frieda—and is embracing a calmer, happier life.
Her memoir, If Only You Knew, promises to offer fans an honest look at the woman behind the music.
With her tour starting at the end of September, she continues to inspire audiences both on stage and through her candid reflections.
Extracted from If Only You Knew by Lulu, published 25th September 2025 (Hodder & Stoughton, £25). For tour tickets, visit luluofficial.com.