East 17 legend Tony Mortimer has revealed that he has read his first novel earlier this year.
The chart-topper revealed that he first picked up a book in April when the world went into a global lockdown in a bid to contain the coronavirus.
But now Tony, 50, has admitted that his decision has dramatically changed his life and has also inspired a new career path.
Since picking up a hardback, the star has since read 65 books after being bored at home.
His new hobby played a part in. his decision to become an author, penning a biography.
Tony has revealed he picked up his first novel in March during the coronavirus lockdown period (Image: Channel 4)
The star who bagged an Ivor Novello Award after writing Stay Another Day shared his revelation with The Times – adding that he couldn’t think of anything worse before lockdown.
“I can’t remember reading a novel ever,” he said.
“I’ve read books about music and stuff, but I’d never read a novel. I couldn’t think of anything more boring.”
The singer-songwriter is now penning his first novel
The Londoner was inspired after reading Secrets of the Greek Revival – a haunted house mystery penned by Eva Pohler.
He went on to say: “I remember the first book, I thought I’m gonna force myself to get to the end of this. And I did, and I’ve just fallen in love with reading.
“It’s absolutely escapism from the world.”
Mortimer is best known as a member of East 17, writing their biggest hit Stay Another Day
He now intends on tackling some of literature’s greatest novelists including Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare.
With the help of Stephen King’s guide On Writing, Mortimer is currently writing his own book which didn’t go to plan.
The songwriter admitted that he imagined starting at the very start – admitting that the first 10,000 words are not in chronological order.
“I pretty much started in the middle,” he told the publication.
Jess Harrison, editorial director at Penguin Books recently told how book sales had surged by 69 per cent since March.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
