THE first of the evening talks on day seven of the Swindon Festival of Literature was by comedian, author and director Tony Hawks.

During a highly entertaining hour, he described the difficult process of turning his books into films.

However, before getting started on the main topic, Tony explained to the audience that he was not the famous American skate-boarder of the same name.

To demonstrate this point, he read out some email exchanges with teenage skate-boarding fans to which he responded as the American, including his response to the question: Which is better? A longboard or a shortboard?

“Well it depends, if you are cutting a loaf a longboard is preferable. However, a shortboard is better if you dealing with scones.”

With great wit, he then described the process by which his best selling book, Round Ireland with a Fridge, was turned into a film.

The book is his story, as the name suggests, of travelling around Ireland with a fridge for a bet.

Tony gave some interesting insights into how Hollywood film companies go about their business.

In one tale, he explained how he was told by an American producer that the premise of the story would need to change because no one would be stupid enough to travel around Ireland with a fridge for a bet.

This was just one of the many frustrations he encountered, including a suggestion that the main role should be played by American actor Brendan Fraser – which led him to making the film himself, with the help of a few wealthy friends.

The second half of the talk focused on the creation of his second book, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis.

As with his first book, it was based on a bet and Tony had to try to play every member of the Moldovan football team.

He describes this as a far more sobering experience as Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe.

The resulting film was made with much co-operation from Moldovan authorities, with 50 per cent of proceeds from the book and film going towards care centres in the country for children who have cerebral palsy.

Overall, Tony’s talk was certainly one of the most humorous of the festival, and his experience as a stand-up comedian really shone through.

His timing of jokes and his ability to interact with the audience was superb while also making everyone think about situation faced by others in the world.