Harry Hill horses around

16 November 2006

Harry Hill

Tim the Tiny Horse is exceedingly small. Given a cocktail stick, a piece of cotton and a hawthorn berry, he could play swingball. But it isn't easy being tiny.

Every day there is a new challenge: a fight with a fly over a hula hoop; the struggle to be the first ever tiny TV star; his fear of big dogs (particularly ones with a nasty look in their eyes).

Luckily, he is a plucky fellow and what he lacks in stature he more than makes up for in enthusiasm - for chicken nuggets, his tic-tac box conservatory and The News at One O'Clock from the BBC with Anna Ford.

Stand-up comedian Harry Hill, 42, has created a book about the gentle, comical character who will be adored by his fans and will make him many more, both adults and children.

The 12 stories, all illustrated by Harry, look at the hilarious trials of everyday life for a horse the size of a 50p piece.

Published by Faber, the book costs £9.99.

And Harry will be promoting it in a one-off comedy show in conjunction with the Newhma Bookshop at the Stratford Circus arts venue, Theatre Square, Stratford, on December 3, in which he will use a projector to show images of Tim and talk about his adventures.

Harry says: "I'm thrilled to be introducing my friend Tim the Tiny Horse to a wider audience than that of my own children.

"I know Tim, too, is very excited at the prospect of appearing in print, although naturally he's hoping that it won't change his life so dramatically that he will lose touch with his friend, Fly. He is determined to keep his feet firmly on the ground."

Harry, real name Matthew Hall, was a doctor before turning to the stand-up comedy circuit. His surreal character, with bald head, black glasses and suit, and ridiculously over-sized collar was an instant hit.

He won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 1992, had two series on radio, then his own TV series.

His Harry Hill's TV Burp was nominated for a Bafta, and the All New Harry Hill Show won the Rose D'Or.

Harry Hill's TV Burp returns in December with a Christmas special, followed by a new series planned for broadcast in early 2007.

Last year, in a poll to find the comedians' comedian, he was in the top 50.

In 2003 his first novel was published.

Flight from Deathrow, is made up of the hilarious antics of celebrities as seen through the eyes of the storyteller, while in and out of a coma.

Harry's Stratford Circus show on December 3, starts at 5pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for children and are only available from the Newham Bookshop on 0208 552 9993.

To win tickets see this week's (week ending November 16) Recorder Newspaper.