Monty Python star Eric Idle has written his autobiography. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography is to be published by W&N on October 2.

In the book Idle takes readers on a journey from his childhood in an austere boarding school through his successful career in comedy, television, theatre and film.

Coming of age as a writer and comedian during the Sixties and Seventies, Eric stumbled into the crossroads of the cultural revolution and found himself rubbing shoulders with the likes of George Harrison, David Bowie and Robin Williams, all of whom became lifelong friends. With anecdotes sprinkled throughout that involve other close friends and luminaries such as Mick Jagger, Steve Martin, Paul Simon and Mike Nichols - and the other Pythons themselves - Idle captures a time of tremendous creative output with equal hilarity and heart.

In Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, named after the song he wrote for Life of Brian that has since become the number one song played at UK funerals, Idle shares the highlights of his life and career with the offbeat humour that has delighted audiences for decades.

A book tour of the UK is planned to coincide with publication.

Pre-order here.