Stars' doodles reveal inspiration

Jo Brand: "From thin to fat"

The stories behind the success of some of the UK's celebrities have been revealed in a series of self-portraits.

The sketches each illustrate the start and end of a personal transformation in their lives in a single, unbroken line.

Ex-England defender Tony Adams points towards how he beat his drink problem, while TV's Duncan Bannatyne maps the rise of his business empire.

The gallery of 150 drawings are being used by Action for Children to promote its charity work with the vulnerable.

I never gave up and had as much fun working in a shoe shop as I did working on Doctor Who Jessica Hynes In Pictures: Life lines of stars

Famous names from TV, film, music, sport, comedy and business have contributed to the project with a variety of doodles and honest observations.

They include Joanna Lumley, Jo Brand, Esther Rantzen, Alexi Sayle, Brian Blessed, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Vanessa Mae, Bo Selecta's Leigh Francis and BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis.

Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes drew a loaf of bread rising with the tagline "From dough to bread - it takes time to prove yourself".

Tony Adams: "No hope to hope"

He said: "The picture tells the story of how anybody can start from very little and with the right ingredients and determination, can rise to the top."

Actress Jessica Hynes drew a pair of shoes connected to the Old Vic theatre.

She said: "I never gave up and had as much fun working in a shoe shop as I did working on Doctor Who - after all the journey is the thing, not the destination."

Action for Children says the online gallery highlights the support it gives thousands of youngsters as they embark on their own personal journeys.

The charity helps more than 156,000 vulnerable children and their families.