BESTSELLING novelist Robert Llewellyn is probably better known for his role as the lovable Kryten in BBC2's sci-fi comedy 'Red Dwarf' but in his new novel 'Punchbag' comedy is the last thing on his mind writes Tim Ash.

The multi-talented actor, currently on a promotional tour of the UK, explores some extremely serious issues in his second work of fiction. It deals with "rape, abuse, respect and attitude", how men and women come to terms with sexual issues and how one man in particular experiences a particularly steep emotional learning curve.

Said Robert: "The main character is called Nick Gardner. He's an ordinary bloke - no career aspirations beyond his job as a bouncer, just a kind heart, a broken marriage and a teenage son. He is chosen by the organiser of an American self-defence class to be trained as their 'padded assailant'. Basically this involves being bitten, punched and kicked by hundreds of women who have all experienced rape, domestic violence or some form of abuse.

"Nick reluctantly accepts, but soon realises it is a decision that will change his life. Obviously I don't want to spoil the novel, suffice to say that the job serves as a 'coming of age' for Nick. He learns that there is more to life than drinking and casual sex and that anger and violence in both sexes can be remoulded into respect, companionship and love."

I discovered that Robert knows about being a 'punchbag' himself, in that the inspiration for the novel comes directly from his own first-hand experience. He said: "I was working in New York when I came across the self-defence class. Natural curiosity led to me to get personally involved. I've always been interested in the subject matter and it wasn't long before I became a padded assailant myself so I know exactly how it feels to be beaten and kicked in anger."

I asked him why he wrote a novel which deals with such a serious and shocking issue, considering that some people know him only through comedy. He explained that it was never a conscious choice or an attempt to shock: " Being on the receiving end of some of these women's emotions and anger and hearing about the things some of them have been through was a real eye-opener and put a few things in my own life into perspective. I hadn't planned to write a novel such as this but after what I saw I simply HAD to write it!"

As well as having written numerous non-fiction books, Robert is a talented playwright and scriptwriter and also presents Channel 4's "Scrap Heap". In addition to talking about the novel, I couldn't resist asking him about Red Dwarf and the long-awaited film version. He said "It's no longer merely speculation about the film, in fact it's due for release later this year, but I can't tell you anything about it yet - I would get killed!" He said that as well as working on the film, he is in advanced negotiations with Channel 4 to make a sit-com with Red Dwarf co-star Craig Charles, who plays Dave Lister. He has also begun writing his next book . No doubt he will continue to surprise and entertain in each of these future projects.

Robert LLewellyn will be talking about the novel and signing copies at Hammicks bookshop in Marketgate, Lancaster on Wednesday at 7pm.

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