Pan Mac acquires Tony Robinson's autobiography

Pan Macmillan has acquired the autobiography of actor, presenter, historian and author Sir Tony Robinson.

Best known for playing the comedy role of Baldrick in "Blackadder", Robinson also wrote and starred in "Maid Marion and Her Merry Men", presented archaeological TV show "Time Team" for 20 years and filmed TV series "The Worst Jobs in History".

His autobiography, No Cunning Plan: The Autobiography by Tony Robinson, will be "warm, witty and just a little bit rude", according to publishers, charting Robinson's career from when he was a boy in South Woodford and starred in the first stage production of "Oliver!"

The "self-deprecating" book is also described to be "packed full of incident and insight", one such incident including Robinson coping "manfully" when locked naked outside a theatre in Lincoln during the live tour of comedy series "Who Dares Wins". Robinson will also talk about being bullied by Steve Marriott, failing to impress Liza Minnelli and being pushed into a London dock by John Wayne. 

Pan Macmillan acquired world rights from Sarah Dalkin at Jeremy Hicks. The book will be published in the UK in the Sidgwick & Jackson imprint in September.

Editorial director Ingrid Connell said: "Sir Tony has had an extraordinary and eventful life and we’re very excited to be publishing his autobiography.  As you’d expect from one of his books, this is beautifully written, warm, witty and just a little bit rude."

Robinson said: "Fifty-seven years as an actor and writer; it’s about time I told my story in my own words! Of course I’ll rip the lid off 'Blackadder' and 'Time Team', but there’s so much more that people don’t know. I want my readers to be entertained, but I also hope when they finish the book, they’ll say, “Blimey! He didn’t really do that, did he?”’