Talking Shop: Justin Lee Collins

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8271290.stm

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He is best known for his trademark thick, bushy hair and Bristolian accent.

Former Friday Night Project presenter Justin Lee Collins has now penned his autobiography.

Named after his catchphrase Good Times, the book reveals his bed- wetting problem and why he is planning to retire.

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The first few chapters cover circumcision, masturbation and you wetting the bed - was nothing off limits?

No, nothing, not really. I just wanted it to be honest and I think that's the stuff that's revealing.

I could have done a book that listed all the TV shows that I've worked on and describe what they were like, who I liked and who I didn't like - but that would reveal nothing about me.

There's no coke addiction, there's no massive accident or illness, but it's incredibly revealing.

It's the little things, those things that most people wouldn't wish to talk about like wetting the bed. I haven't done it since I was 17 so cut me some slack.

Were you nervous about your loved ones reading it?

A little bit. There are a couple of things in the book that concerned me slightly, because I'm very close to my family and I was worried about my Dad not coming across very well early on.

We're so close and I love him dearly. I was worried that it might come across that I was hammering my Dad when I'm not. But he's fine with it.

Do you get recognised a lot and do you mind?

Yes I do get recognised and it's starting to bother me now, and I don't quite know why.

I think it's because I'm looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel, because I'm looking to retire quite soon. Three years and I'll be done.

You are only 35, are you not a bit young to retire?

I want to open up a bookshop in Bristol. I love to read, that's my favourite pastime.

Lee Collins said Carr is "naturally funny"

I've done everything that I wanted to do. I'm happy within myself, I love my family, I've got two little boys that I want to spend more time with and there are elements within this industry that aren't so hot and that I don't like so much.

Such as?

There's a lot of nonsense - I'm growing uncomfortable with having the spotlight on me all the time. I think I've had it on me for long enough.

Are you still in contact with Alan Carr, who you presented The Friday Night Project with?

Yes he's one of my best friends. He's the most naturally funny man I've ever met. We holiday together. I love him dearly.

Neither one of us knew why the Project worked. Part of the reason it worked was there was never any sense of competition.

<i>Justin Lee Collins was talking to BBC Entertainment reporter Fiona Pryor. Good Times is published on Thursday 24 September.</i>