Melody Sachs

Melody Sachs was born in Newcastle. As a child, she appeared regularly in pantomime at the Theatre Royal. At 18 Melody moved to London where she spent time in West End cabaret and in provincial repertory theatres.

In 1960, she married the actor and writer, Andrew Sachs, and they have three children. Melody wrote short stories and sketches and for the BBC.

Melody went on to study antique textiles and design and opened her first shop in the eighties in Hampstead, specialising in wedding gowns. Her creations frequently featured in Tatler, Brides and Wedding magazines. She designed for celebrities, including Boy George for his Japanese tour, and Barbara Kelly for the entire series of What's My Line. One of her most memorable designs was the gown she created for Lady Glenconner to attend a ball at Buckingham Palace in honour of the King of Spain.

The Girl from the Tyne is her first novel and she is currently working on the second book in the Tyneside series.