Memoirs and novel coming soon

Robert Webb is to write his memoirs AND his first novel, following a 'landmark' book deal.

A total of 13 publishers bid for the titles in an auction described as 'hotly contested', with a joint bid from Canongate and Audible winning thorough

His autobiography, due out in the autumn, will establish the Peep Show comedian  as a 'major literary talent', the publisher said.

The as-yet untitled book promises to cover explore the idea of masculinity through stories about his relationships with father figures from his youth.

Webb said: 'After two years of casually mentioning that I've got a great idea for a book, the people at Canongate and Audible are now proposing to make me write it. 

'Of course, I have responsibilities to those who will find themselves featured in this memoir. To my dead relatives I say, chillax - you're dead. To living relatives I say, look - it could be worse, you could be Adele’s ex-boyfriend. I hope that reassures everyone.'

Webb is the youngest of three boys, and his parents split up when he was five. 'I didn’t see Dad all that often after that – four or five times a year,' he said in an interview last year. 'Mum remarried a year or so later... it didn’t occur to me to call Derek Dad.'

His mother died from breast cancer when he was 17 and he went to live with his father. In the same interview, with the Guardian, Webb said: 'Although it took me almost until I was an adult to really appreciate him, we did forge a friendship. He was quite awkward and irascible, but could be great fun.'

Webb also wrote an article on masculinity for the New Stateman in 2004, in which he said: 'Nobody ever told me: you don’t have to waste years trying to figure out how to be a "man" because the whole concept is horseshit.

' We are people, individuals comprising a variety of sexes, races, shifting sexualities and all the rest of it. Every convention that tries to reinforce this difference is a step back. Notions of gender pointlessly separate men from women, but also Mothers from daughters and fathers from sons. The whole thing is – at best – just a stupefying waste of everyone’s time. ' 

Francis Bickmore, publishing director at Canongate, said: 'The brilliantly talented Robert Webb is about to land in the world of books in a big way and everyone at Canongate is thrilled that we are his UK publisher.

'His memoir promises to be an exceptional and even game-changing book. It is funny, moving and controversial, and will appeal to anyone who remembers the eighties, and anyone who is - or knows - a dysfunctional male.

'We’re also thrilled to have signed up a novel to follow, which will further develop Rob’s career as a writer.'

Webb will also record the audiobook version of his memoirs for Audible, who his  debut novel will follow in 2018.

Published: 29 Jul 2016