Codicote playwright and author in Letchworth and Hitchin to promote Factor 2025

A playwright, comedian and author will be on home turf next weekend to sign copies of his new novel – which uncovers the rollercoaster world of showbiz.

Johnny Tait will be visiting David’s Bookshop in Letchworth on Saturday and Hitchin’s Waterstones one week later to promote Factor 2025, which explores how TV talent shows have distorted the entertainment industry and questions the moral motives of producers.

The 57-year-old, who lives in Codicote, has worked in the showbiz world since the age of 19 and was inspired to put pen to paper after various showbiz run-ins.

“When I was in my 20s there was a documentary-stlye programme on TV that offered to put me on the programme if I was prepared to say I was struggling to earn a living as a young comedian and so I was selling drugs on the side,” said Johnny, who has also turned Factor 2025 into a play of the same name which hits Stevenage’s Gordon Craig Theatre stage in the new year after a successful run at the Leicester Square Theatre in February.

“I refused because it wasn’t true and I would rather live my life as a pauper than sell my soul to the devil.

“The book is a cynical, comical and in places controversial look at the manipulation of the participants that are hoping to carve a career in the topsy turvy rollercoaster world of showbiz, asking questions such as whether it is morally correct to put a person on national TV and then publicly humiliate them.”

The Letchworth book signing runs from 11am this Saturday, with Johnny’s visit to Hitchin at the same time on Saturday, November 28.

The first 50 customers on both dates will also receive a complimentary ticket to the Gordon Craig Theatre show in February, 2016.

X Factor 2025 is available for £8.99 online and in retail stores.