TMCnet News

SHOCK AS GHOSTWRITER QUITS BOD BOOK PROJECT ; Kimmage resigns after dropping hints on Twitter [Eire Region] [Mirror (UK)]
[January 30, 2014]

SHOCK AS GHOSTWRITER QUITS BOD BOOK PROJECT ; Kimmage resigns after dropping hints on Twitter [Eire Region] [Mirror (UK)]


(Mirror (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) THE ghostwriter of rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll's autobiography sensationally resigned yesterday.

Award-winning Paul Kimmage had been working with the Irish star for a number of years on the book - which is due to be published later this year.

But last week, the journalist hinted he was being forced from the project in a series of messages on Twitter.

He wrote, quoting Brigitte Bardot: "I leave before being left. I decide." Yesterday, publisher Penguin Ireland announced that Alan English - the editor of the Limerick Leader newspaper - would be taking over.

And BOD, 35, said: "I have enjoyed working with Paul over the last few years and it is unfortunate that we cannot complete this project together. However, I look forward to working with Alan." Penguin Ireland managing director Michael McLoughlin said he hopes Alan will now "do Brian's story justice". He added: "We are delighted that Alan English has stepped in to write what is the most eagerly awaited sports autobiography for many years. "Alan is somebody we have worked with closely on two previous books and we are sure he will do Brian's story justice." O'Driscoll - who is married to actress and author Amy Huberman - signed a deal to write the autobiography two years ago but vowed it wouldn't be released until after he retired.



Last year, he signed a one-year extension with the IRFU to make this his final season.

Publishers are still planning, despite the disruption, to get BOD's book in the shops in time for Christmas.


Previously, BOD admitted he only went ahead for one more year because of all the fan support.

The father-of-one said: "I had to think long and hard and there were a number of factors. I had to talk to Amy and listen to my body, I had to learn if I was still wanted in the Leinster set-up and the Irish set-up.

"It would be rude of me not to mention the chants from the stands in the RDS of 'one more year'.

"The fact that you're still wanted by the faithful does mean an awful lot too." [email protected] (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]