Silver screen move for Paperboy!

Paperboy by Tony Macaulay is due to start filming in August this year with the country singer playing the part of Oul’ Mac.

The book, which had been released in an updated edition, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy wearing Brut aftershave who has just been appointed paperboy to the Upper Shankill by Oul’ Mac in Belfast 1975.

The smell of Tayto Cheese & Onion crisps on his breath and the aroma of fresh fish suppers and burning double-decker busses is in the air. It is the era of platform shoes and parallel trousers, and Paperboy is taking guitar lessons with Mr Rowing so he can play along to the Bay City Rollers.

Belfast in the seventies is like the newspapers he delivers - everything is black and white, albeit Orange and Green. There are bombings and killings on the evening news but Paperboy is more interested in Doctor Who and Top of the Pops, bonfires and outer space, and of course, Sharon Burgess.

The beguiling memoir will charm the socks off you and frequently make you laugh out loud.

Tony Macaulay lives in Portstewart with his wife Lesley and their two daughters.

He is managing Director of Macaulay Associates, specialising in community development and conflict resolution. Tony is also a writer and broadcaster and has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio Ulster for ten years.