Read by the comedian himself

Eddie Izzard's memoirs, Believe Me, are to be serialised on Radio 4.

The comic's autobiography – subtitled A Memoir of Love, Death and Jazz Chickens – is due to be released next week.

It will then be serialised in five quarter-hour episodes, starting on June 25 and with Izzard reading his own words.

The book starts in Yemen, where he was born, and covers the death of his mother at the age of six – an incident he credits with giving him the drive to succeed.

Publisher Michael Joseph said: 'Brimming with the surreal humour and disarming candor of his shows (with occasional digressions), Believe Me tells the story of a little boy who lost his mother yet who has risen to become a star of comedy and drama, a leading advocate of total clothing rights, a British European and extreme runner of marathons, who bestrides the world stage as a world stage bestrider.'

Order the book here.

 • Radio 4 has also confirmed the return of The Absolutely Radio Show. Peter Baikie, Morwenna Banks, Moray Hunter, Gordon Kennedy, John Sparkes, Gus Beattie and Gordon Kennedy will return for four more half-hour sketch programmes from 7.15pm on Saturday June 24.

Published: 8 Jun 2017