Pointless co-host Richard Osman has signed a deal to publish his first novel, a classic crime tale.

The Thursday Murder Club is set in a fictional ‘luxury retirement village’ off the A21 in Kent, and follows four retirees who meet weekly to solve cold cases, and who encounter a live case in their first literary outing.

Osman revealed on Twitter that he spent 18 months writing the book and first shared it a month ago. “A month ago I finally showed it to someone, and then all this happened,” he said. “I have never been prouder of anything in my working life, and I can’t wait for you all to read it next year.”

The Thursday Murder Club will be published in autumn 2020, with a second novel in the series following a year later.

Osman said: “To turn from a lifelong reader to a debut author is a dream come true for me. I can’t wait for readers to meet these characters, and to try and solve their many mysteries. And, on a personal note, I’m delighted that my Mum now thinks I have a proper job.”