GEORGE Formby - toothy film star, ukulele maestro, supreme being worshipped by a lost tribe of Sumeria.
Confused? You ain't even started.
The only rule to Robert Rankin's bestselling far-fetched fiction is that whatever you're not expecting, it's sure to be in there, all irreverently wrapped up with a conspiracy theory involving some of the key figures of the age.
In
Necrophenia, Rankin's 30th novel, hero Tyler charts his battle to save the world foiled at nearly every turn by cruel twists of fate, the Rolling Stones, Mama Cass and the Dark Lord himself, who may or may not be Elvis.
In this OutLoud interview, Rankin discusses conspiracy theories, his story-telling inspiration, reveals why Brentford just had to be written about, and gives a rousing reading from his new book.
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Little is known about Rankin's real life upbringing, simply because he just can't resist spinning a yarn. History will record him as being born in 1949 in London but that could be wrong.
Inspired by his story-telling father, the young Rankin was a voracious reader who felt most comfortable at school in English lessons, developing a love for books and words.
While his early career was littered with random jobs, he turned back to writing poetry and short stories in the late 1970s.
Rankin secured himself a publishing deal on the back of a short story and an introduction to publishing company Pan through a friend. The result was a three-book deal, beginning in 1981 with his debut novel
The Antipope.
He entered the best-seller lists in 1999 with
Snuff Fiction. His 27th novel,
Brightonomican, was adapted into a full-cast 13 part audio drama starring David Warran, aired last year on BBC7. Its sequel is also be be adapted.
Rankin lives in Brighton with his wife. He no longer works in the pub but resolutely sticks to his formula of writing his books longhand in exercise books.
Necrophenia, £14.99, is out in hardback, published by Gollancz, ISBN 978-0575078710Please use the commenting facility to let us know what you think of this book, using the following ratings:
1) Dull as dishwater
2) Okay, but could have been better
3) Pretty good, decent holiday read
4) Really liked it, can't wait for the next one
5) FANTASTIC - couldn't put it down! 