These days he's happy tending his flowers and penning children's books that put a smile on youngsters' faces. JULIAN CLARY tells THE GUIDE how he has shed his outrageous image to enter an innocent new world.

UNLIKELY author Julian Clary will be talking books at this year's Camp Bestival.

Julian and award-winning illustrator David Roberts will introduce audiences at the Lulworth Castle-held festival to children's book series The Bolds.

The event will include wildly hilarious readings in Clary’s unique style and live drawing by Roberts.

Comedian, entertainer, author and all-round National Trinket, Julian, is set to unleash the third instalment of his delightful and fantastically funny children’s book series, The Bolds, entitled The Bolds on Holiday.

The Bolds are an extraordinary family of hyenas living in disguise as humans in South West London. Britain’s much-loved, wildest and hairiest family will be vacating the leafy suburbia of Teddington this summer for a new adventure, which sees them taking a well-deserved break, down by the sea.

With their extended family in tow, the Bolds are setting off for a spot of camping in Cornwall. But it's never long before trouble sniffs these hyenas out. Bobby is mistaken for a pup and snatched by a wicked dognapper and the Bolds will need all their ingenuity to hunt her down and rescue Bobby and all the pilfered pooches. Can these hyenas-in-disguise save the day, without letting the cat out of the bag...?

Julian has previously published a memoir and several adult novels, and now returns with the third instalment in the much-loved children’s book series The Bolds.

He said: “Are you ready for a third instalment of The Bolds? Then I have some more hyena hilarity for you: The Bolds On Holiday sees our furry friends on a camping holiday by the sea side.

"Do you think they have any idea how to put up a tent? Do you think the twins, Bobby and Betty get up to some serious mischief in the sand dunes? Do you think Uncle Tony turns out to be a cool surfing dude? Does Mr Bold tell more of his ridiculous jokes at inappropriate moments? Well, you really need to read this book of animal nonsense as soon as possible!”

Julian is one of the country’s most-loved entertainers and his popularity has endured across a three-decade career in show business. With a variety of credits to his name, Julian is not only a comedian, but presenter, author and established pantomime star. His colourful career has seen him win Celebrity Big Brother in 2012, become a Sunday Times best-selling novelist, and complete countless smash-hit tours.

The distinctive illustrations in The Bolds debut were nominated for the 2016 Kate Greenaway Medal and David Roberts returns for the third instalment. David has collaborated with a multitude of Britain’s finest children’s authors including Jacqueline Wilson and Julia Donaldson, to name but a few.

Originally a milliner, David adds a fashion flare to the Bolds’ collection of eccentric hats and disguises! David will be joining Julian Clary at various book festivals and events throughout the country in 2017.

Julian has experienced great success with his children's books, The Bolds. He really enjoys writing for children, he says.

"It's delightful; I just have such a lovely time writing them.

"Making children laugh is a whole new thing for me, it's lovely. I’ve been doing lots of book events for children and it’s a delight – because they’re not pretending to laugh to please you.

"It’s a question of entering into that innocent world, a whole new world… it's obviously a world away from my usual filth but that’s liberating. It’s been a revelation."

This inspiration for quirky tale of hyenas The Bolds, came from his childhood, Julian says.

"I grew up in Teddington. This is written from my point of view as a seven-year-old, because I used to daydream about the neighbours then, and wondered if they were animals.

"So when it came to writing the book I just regressed and that’s the story that came out. If you had asked me as a child what I wanted to do, it was be a writer.

"I was very interested in Africa as a child and I was a member of the World Wildlife Fund. I’ve always liked hyenas, and once I heard my neighbours’ cackling laughs, I made up the story that they must be hyenas in disguise.

"I have always thought that animals are just as clever as humans. That’s where the story came from."

The latest addition to The Bolds series was also inspired by his childhood, in this case some happy holidays, Julian said,

"I have such fond childhood memories of holidays by the sea in Cornwall, and St Ives, where I’ve set this book. It’s been so lovely to relive those happy times as I wrote this third story."

But as for why they resonate so well with children, Julian has no idea.

"It's not for me to say, really. But I think they're funny and morally sound, and very plot driven. I guess because I enjoy writing them so much that somehow comes across."

And this won't be the last you hear of The Bolds, Julian says.

"The Bolds are alive and well in my mind, so it's all about them. It's a bit like the Just William books, of which there were about 45. I feel like I can go on and on with them. Whether the public want me to or not!"

*Julian Clary and illustrator David Roberts will be at Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset, on Saturday July 29. See campbestival.net for more information. The Bolds on Holiday is released on July 13, RRP £6.99.