Cathy Kelly

Born in Belfast, Cathy always wanted to write and after journalism college went to work at the Sunday World, Ireland's biggest tabloid Sunday newspaper, where she started in news but went on to become a feature writer, agony aunt, film critic and columnist.

While still a journalist, she decided to have a crack at writing a novel. This was Woman to Woman, which went straight in to the Irish bestseller list and stayed there for 8 weeks. Once In A Lifetime, her eleventh novel published in paperback in September 2009 went to No 1 within days of its release. Her books are international best sellers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

Cathy is also an Ambassador for UNICEF in Ireland helping to raise awareness of the plight of children orphaned in Africa through Aids. She currently lives with her partner, John and six-year-old twin boys in Co. Wicklow, Ireland.