Gallery Books acquires 'brilliant' memoir from Bob Mortimer

Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books is to publish Bob Mortimer’s first memoir And Away... this autumn. 

Publishing director for non-fiction Holly Harris acquired world rights from Caroline Chignell at PBJ Management. Gallery Books will publish in September 2021, simultaneously in hardback, e-book and an audiobook narrated by the author.

And Away… is the life story of the comedian, podcaster and actor, charting his childhood in Middlesbrough through to unexpected heart surgery in 2015, and the success he found since on BBC Two’s "Gone Fishing". The synopsis explains: "Mortimer was born in 1959, and trained as a solicitor before a chance encounter in a pub with a young comedian going by the name of Vic Reeves in the 1980s set his life on a different track. In his own inimitable voice, Mortimer shares his story with warmth, humour — and a few lies."

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."

Harris said: "Bob’s book is brilliant, funny and profound, and all of us at S&S are thrilled to be publishing it. He’s a natural writer and we cannot wait for Bob to share And Away… with readers this autumn."