Bob Mortimer is writing his memoirs, inspired by his brush with death six years ago.

And Away…, which is due to be published in September, came after he was diagnosed with a serious heart condition that required immediate surgery.

According to publishers Gallery Books: ‘The episode unnerved him, but forced him to reflect on his life so far. This is the framework for his hilarious and moving memoir.’

Mortimer said: ‘With over 60 years of tomfoolery and shenanigans under my belt I thought it was time to write them all down and let the public make of them what they will.’

As well as the hardback, And Away... will also be released as an audiobook narrated by the comic.

It will cover his childhood in Middlesbrough , the loss of his dad, and various misadventures as he’s detailed on appearances on Would I Lie To You?, from burning down the family home to starting a short-lived punk band called Dog Dirt.

As an adult, he trained as a solicitor and moved to London, where he encountered Vic Reeves at a pub gig, and formed the double-act that brought him fame.

Gallery publishing director Holly Harris described the book as ‘brilliant, funny and profound’

Mortimer’s heart surgery also inspired  BBC Two's Gone Fishing, with his friend Paul Whitehouse, which itself inspired a 2019 spin-off book.  And in 2017, he and his podcast co-host Andy Dawson wrote The World Of Football According To Athletico Mince.

And Away… will be published on September 16 and is available as an advanced order from Foyles for £16.99 in hardback or from Amazon as a £9.99 ebook.