...while he writes more memoirs

Stephen Fry is to cease Twittering for up to four months while he writes the next volume of his autobiography.

The QI host, who has 1.2million followers on the micro-blogging site, has an April deadline to complete the follow-up to his memoirs Moab Is My Washpot – and says the internet is too much of a distraction.

He says he needs utter isolation to write, so has also cleared his diary, with just two appointments over the coming months.

Announcing the news on his website today Fry said: ‘This morning I switch off most of my connections with the outside world, for I have work to do. I must deliver a book to my publishers by the end of April or my soul and testicles will be forfeit.

‘My twitter stream will dry up for that period. No doubt this will come as a relief to some, but I am not so sunk in false modesty as to be unaware that there are loyal followers who will emit long, loud wails of “Noooooooo!” and who will feel pained and dispirited.

‘But I hope they will understand that this is a) imperative and b) temporary. I shall return.’

Moab Is My Washpot, published in 1997, covered Fry’s adolescence, ending with him determined to find a place at university after serving three months in jail for fraud after running away with a stolen credit card.

Fry said: ‘The book I must now write will follow on from this. Whether it will be chronological or thematic, first person or third I have no idea. That is the adventure, if I can call it such, that lies before me.

‘Whether my reclusive isolation will be painful or glorious remains to be seen. Accept my apologies for what must be and believe me, no one yearns more keenly [than I] for the day when I will be able to be back amongst you all.’

Click here to read Fry’s full post.

Published: 2 Jan 2010