Connery pulls out of autobiography yet again

Published on Sunday 20 March 2005 00:07

MOVIE legend Sir Sean Connery has pulled out of a seven-figure deal for a planned autobiography for the second time, it was reported last night.

The Scots actor signed a deal last year with ghostwriter Hunter Davies to produce an account of his colourful life from Edinburgh milkman to international film superstar.

But 74-year-old Connery is now said to have got "cold feet" about the memoirs and has dropped out, reports said.

Six months prior to his hook-up with Davies, Connery also cancelled a similar deal with Scottish writer Meg Henderson, who said later: "He isn’t the man I thought he was."

Hunter Davies is a veteran ghost-writer whose books in partnership with major celebrities often contain frank admissions.

His autobiography of footballer Paul Gascoigne included uncomplimentary material about Gazza’s drinking binges and personality disorders.

Insiders in the book industry claim Connery wants his autobiography to praise his screen persona.

But Davies is renowned for going ahead with projects only if he can write "warts and all" portrayals of his subjects.

He was expected to delve into Connery’s relationships with women, including claims he hit his first wife, Diane Cilento, a claim denied by the actor.

It would also have gone into rows with Cubby Broccoli, the producer of the Bond movies, which made his name as an actor and into his connections with Scottish nationalist politics and British politicians.

A publishing deal was originally announced last July by Harper-Collins and Davies was chosen as ghostwriter by Connery from a shortlist of four. The deal now appears to have collapsed.