About a 12-year-old aspiring comedian

Harry Hill is writing a children’s book about a 12-year-old who is desperate to be a stand-up comedian and perform at the Hammersmith Apollo.

The book is called Matt Millz – not too far from Harry’s real first name of Matthew and his stage surname.

It is the first of three books the comic is to pen as part of a new deal with publishers Faber & aber 

Blurb for the title says: ‘When the school holds a talent show, Matt has the opportunity to demonstrate that he's got the magical chutzpah quip to take him all the way to the Apollo. 

‘With the help of his diminutive manager, Kitty Hope, and his hapless form teacher, as well as the school brute, his heartthrob, and Rob his best friend, Matt learns what it takes to be really funny,’

Earlier this month it was announced that Miranda Hart was joining the roll-call of comics turning to children’s fiction, including David Baddiel, Julian Clary and David Walliams. But some authors have complained that publishers are now only interested in celebrity names,

However, this is not Hill’s first venture into writing for kids. In 2007, he wrote  im The Tiny Horse, and the follow-up Tim The Tiny Horse At Large two years later.

Matt Millz will be illustrated by Steve May, best known for his work on Dennis the Menace for The Beano, the comic Hill once guest-edited for a Comic Relief special.

It is due to be published in November, priced £9.99. Click here to preorder.

Published: 15 Mar 2017