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A singer and a comedian from Rochdale,

she was The Nation's Darling,

but in the middle of World War II and the phenomenal peak of her career, our great life

fell in love and married an Italian and had to flee to America. She was disowned by the British

public who called her a deserter and she was slated in every newspaper. Championing this week's great life is Businesswoman and TV personality, Hillary DeVeighigh who found her wealth with a freighting business

and her fame as a dragon on BBC II's dragon's den.

Hillary whom have you picked?

I've picked Gracie Fields.

And why?

Because I think she gave so much to so many and over so many years.

Also there are similarities with myself.

She was born in Rochdale.

I'm from Bolton, which is only seven miles away.

She was born above a fish and chip shop. She lived above a fish and ship shop with the parents.

And when I started my business and I had to sell my house to start it,

I actually had to live in a flat above a fish and chip shop so it was

quite interesting and I had a little smile to myself. We think of you as a

business woman and Gracie Fields was at least though certainly not mainly a business

woman do you admire her for her commercial acumen as well as her?

No I don't particularly know although she made a lot of money and she was definitely a truth of philanthropist

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