Champion boxer Kellie Harrington has teamed up with Roddy Doyle to write her first autobiography.
In the book, the Olympic gold medallist will tell the story of her sometimes troubled childhood, her unlikely rise to greatness, and her continuing commitment to living a normal life – which in her case has involved deciding to stay amateur as a boxer and keeping her job part of the household/domestic staff team at a psychiatric hospital.
The star of Portland Row says there was ever only one writer that she was going to turn to, to help her tell her story.
"I am delighted to have the opportunity to write my autobiography as it gives me a chance to tell my story in my way," Kellie said.
"I was sure that if I was going to do a book, there was only one person I wanted to do it with.
"Working with Roddy has been an incredible experience and I have really enjoyed the process of revisiting the key moments of my past and remembering the twists and turns of my life.
"There have been some very emotional and challenging times that have helped build resilience and character and has helped shape me into the person I am today. My hope is that readers will enjoy it too.
Roddy Doyle, who wrote the classic Barrytown Trilogy, which includes The Commitments, said: “When myself and Kellie decided to write her story together, I told her it would be an adventure.
"I was right - it is an adventure.
"Kellie uses her words like she uses her fists - brilliantly. She's funny, sharp, honest, a born storyteller. It's a joy working with her.”
The book is due out in Autumn 2022.
