Newspapers balk at price

The publishers of Frank Skinner's forthcoming autobiography are reportedly struggling to sell newspaper rights for the sum they want.

Random House hoped to recoup a large proportion of the reputed £750,000 it paid the comic by syndicating the 'warts and all' story to the press.

But MediaGuardian.co.uk reports that Fleet Street is only willing to pay a five-figure sum for the rights at a time when newspaper profits are being hit by an advertising recession.

The site says the Mirror offered £45,000 - compared to the £750,000 the Mail shelled out for Victoria Beckham's autobiography.

However, the publisher has refused to comment on any bids received for the book - which promises to be a 'warts and all' account of the former foundry worker's rise to the top, including his early battles with alcoholism.

The Express's books editor, Graham Ball, said: "There's nothing wrong with this book - it looks fantastic. But papers haven't got bottomless pockets."

Frank Skinner by Frank Skinner is due to be published on October 3. Click here to pre-order a copy from Amazon.co.uk

Published: 3 Sep 2001