Smith to tell of new life on the wagon

Arthur Smith is to tell of his life-threatening battle with pancreatitis, in a new radio show.

The veteran comic will also give his personal account of how it feels to be sober after a lifetime of drinking.

Smith was rushed to hospital with acute pancreatitis in December 2001, spending 12 nights in intensive care.

He contracted the necrotic version of the disease, which is brought about by drinking too heavily, and has a high mortality rate. Doctors told him he should never drink again.

Soon after his ordeal, he wrote in his Guardian column: " My scary adventure has produced many positive things and they're the ones I'm concentrating on, and I concentrate well at the moment. Every day has a newfound intensity."

Next month he will be recording Arthur Smith's Last Hangover, his "funny, philosophic and moving account of how it feels to still be alive and still not be drinking" for Radio 4.

Free tickets are available from the BBC ticket unit.

Published: 16 Oct 2002