Boris Johnson's delayed Shakespeare biography slated for April 2020

Boris Johnson’s long-delayed biography of William Shakespeare has now been scheduled for release by Hodder & Stoughton in April 2020.

Shakespeare: The Riddle of Genius had originally been slated to appear in October 2016, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the bard’s death.

But in July 2016, shortly after he was appointed foreign secretary, Hodder announced the book would “not be published for the foreseeable future”.

Reports of Johnson’s advance for the biography had ranged from £90,000 to £500,000.

When it was pulled, the Daily Mail reported Johnson had conceded he didn’t “have the time” to write it. He also discontinued writing his Daily Telegraph column.

However, Johnson quit the Cabinet last July in protest at Theresa May’s Brexit withdrawal deal and has since returned to writing for the paper.

The timing of his new book's release means Johnson will avoid a clash with David Cameron, whose autobiography is still scheduled for publication this autumn, despite claims it could be delayed due to Brexit.