Mark Thomas is writing his first book.

It will see him join the growing number of political comedians becoming authors in the wake of Michael Moore’s phenomenal publishing success.

His debut book, titled As Used On The Famous Nelson Mandela after an advertising spiel he once saw, will focus on the international arms trade.

Subtitled Underground Adventures in the Arms and Torture Trade, the £10.99 book is scheduled to be published in June.

It recounts his experiences posing as a would-be customer as he talks to arms dealers and manufacturers of torture equipment. He also interviews torture victims and politicians in a tale that moves through South Africa, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia to the Serious Fraud Office.

Publishers Ebury Press call the book ‘a deeply funny, deeply disturbing account of Mark's rampage through the arms trade’.

A spokesman added: ‘His account of his encounters, adventures and discoveries provide a shockingly entertaining read.

‘This is a major new book in a bestselling genre, from a highly popular figure.’