Joanne Major

Strange as it may seem, the best idea we can get of Kitty’s famous bonnet is from a painting of two girls dressing a kitten by candlelight.

She tumbled from her horse and the press loved the idea of a fallen woman, falling. Overnight, Kitty became a sensation.

I do hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed researching and writing Kitty’s life story. It's a treat for the eyes too as most of the images within it have been reproduced in colour, including some of the wonderful portraits of Kitty.

Kitty Fisher managed her public relations and controlled her image with care. In a time when women’s choices were limited, she navigated her way to fame and fortune. Hers was a life filled equally with happiness and tragedy, one which left such an impact that the fascinating Kitty Fisher’s name still resonates today. She was the Georgian era’s most famous – and infamous – celebrity.

Legend says Catherine worked at Liverpool's Black Jack Tavern which had a skittles alley. That was the origin of her nickname: Skittles.