SIMON PEGG - BRITISH ACTOR SIMON PEGG SIGNS SEVEN-FIGURE BOOK DEAL

BRITISH ACTOR SIMON PEGG SIGNS SEVEN-FIGURE BOOK DEAL

Simon Pegg has agreed a three-book deal with Hodder & Stoughton worth more than £1 million.

The Hot Fuzz actor, currently seen in box office hit How to Lose Friends and Alienate People, will write three books for the published over the next three years, it has been confirmed.

The first will be his as-yet-untitled memoir, tracing his career from university through stand-up comedy to success in television sitcom Spaced and films such as Shaun of the Dead.

The second book, due in 2010, is likely to be a non-fiction humorous piece, while the third is a "highly illustrated, lavishly produced" title, according to Hodder & Stoughton.

Hodder Entertainment's Ben Dunn, who conducted the deal, said Pegg is "absolutely the most talented person in the whole wide world".

"He is an extremely engaging and funny writer and I can't wait to start working with him," Dunn added.

"Pegg writes for us (Britons) but somehow the films appeal to America too.

"He is our biggest export – I don't think there is any British actor of his ilk that has been so successful."

Pegg recently completed work on JJ Abrams' new Star Trek film - in which he stars as Scotty - and will soon start shooting Paul, a road comedy with his frequent co-star and best friend Nick Frost.