Victoria Wood's brother to release a controversial biography about the late star

Victoria Wood’s brother, Chris Foote Wood, has sparked controversy and outrage after it was revealed that he is releasing a new biography on the late star, with it being claimed that the TV treasure has been “betrayed in death”.

The book is reportedly set to feature extracts from Victoria’s father’s journal, which criticises his daughter’s weight, mood swings and boyfriends.

Just six months after her tragic death, Chris is set to release the book next month, and the 75-year-old has already faced backlash from his family members, who have questioned why he is exploiting the notoriously private star’s life.

Victoria was always keen to keep to herself despite her celebrity status, sadly dying from cancer at the age of 62 without telling even some of her close friends and family members that she was ill.

The exact form of cancer that stole her life is still a closely-guarded secret.

In his journal, Victoria’s father, Stanley, kept a log of the food that Victoria ate in a day – calling his child “fatter than ever” as he claims that she watches eight hours of television a day and is a “glum and morose” girl.

The book will also include some of Victoria’s earliest jokes as Chris publishes her unseen material as well as an in-depth insight into her troubled childhood.

Defending his decision to write the book, Chris insists that he isn’t gaining financially from it, claiming: “I have always admired Victoria’s great talents and her dedicated work ethic. I count myself as one of her greatest fans.

“This book is a tribute to my multi-talented sister. It is not for money, it is a labour of love – I am donating all my royalties to Victoria’s favourite charities.

“For 44 years our dad Stanley Wood kept a daily journal in which he recorded what happened in our family, particularly Victoria of course, and this has been an invaluable source.

“I have had the privilege of watching Vic’s career grow from its earliest beginnings, through the years of struggle before her eventual success. It was so sad when Vic died at only 62. She had so much more to give, but at least she has left us a huge body of work we can still enjoy.

“I hope this book will be a fitting ­memorial to her and tell fans what it was like in her childhood and later behind the scenes.”

Despite this, Victoria’s children – Henry and Grace Durham – were unaware that their uncle was releasing a book about their mother, with a spokesperson saying: “This is the first Grace and Henry have heard about Mr Foote Wood’s book, based on Victoria’s father’s diaries.

“Mr Foote Wood has not contacted them to discuss it or make them aware of his plans.

“There will be an official Victoria Wood biography, which has Grace and Henry’s blessing, published next year.”

Chris previously appealed to fund a life-sized statue of Victoria in their home town of Bury in tribute to her success, with a site since being agreed by the council.