Pope Lonergan’s book I’ll Die After Bingo, about the comedian’s years working in elderly care, is being developed for TV.

Expectation – the production company behind Alma’s Not Normal, Bridget Christie’s The Change and The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan – has struck a deal with publishers Penguin Random House to work on the project.

Nominated for the Chortle Comedy Book Award this year, the stand-up’s memoir was described as 'blisteringly well written, deeply humane and very funny' by the Daily Telegraph. And the news comes on the day the title is released in paperback.

Lonergan said: ‘I’m buzzing to be working with Expectation. In the creative industries (ergh) cultivating relationships is really important - and luckily Expectation is full of the nicest, most insightful and talented "TV people" you’ll ever find. 

‘I’m very grateful they’ve taken a punt on me, a recovering crackhead Quaker, and my book – a book that includes a line about swallowing boobs. But seriously, I’m excited. The adaptation’s going to be both light and dark; uncompromising, poetic and, yes, very funny.’

The book covers incidents such as the dark humour of a double-amputee Alzheimer's patient, Lonergan forging a bond with a 98-year old who called him a ‘fat slut’, and a care home's residents staging a coup d'état against new regulations.

Expectation executive producer Morwenna Gordon said: ‘I was completely won over by Pope’s writing. Honest, insightful, empathetic and with laugh out loud moments too. I’m so pleased to be working together to adapt this incredible book for TV."

And Hannah Weatherill, acting head of media rights with Penguin Random House, said: ‘Pope’s memoir about his work as a carer is extraordinary – he captures the personalities of the residents, their families, and his colleagues in all their complexity with incredible empathy and humour. 

‘Expectation is a brilliant partner for Pope’s story, and we can’t wait to see it on screens.’

»  I’ll Die After Bingo book review