Alexei Sayle at Wellington Literary Festival

Former stand-up comic-turned-successful author Alexei Sayle thrilled visitors to Wellington Literary Festival with readings from his latest book.

The Liverpudlian performer talked about his career during a booking at Wellington Literary Festival on Saturday at Wrekin College.

His literary career has comprised a highly successful first volume of short stories Barcelona Plates (2000), followed by The Dog Catcher (2001).

He has also written a number of novels, including his debut Overtaken (2003), his bestselling second novel The Weeping Women Hotel (2006) and his third novel Mister Roberts.

Sayle told the audience about his new autobiography: Stalin Ate My Homework: A memoir

He said that he had been born in Liverpool on the day egg rationing came to an end and always knew his parents were different because they ate salad and only read the Soviet Weekly.

They also travelled to seaside towns to attend union conferences.

Sayle said his parents were determined to see Communism in action and went to Czechoslavkia, where they visited the sites of massacres, rode in space age limousines and sat in the audience of bizarre mime shows.

He added that his confusing life as the son of Communist parents, his childhood in Eastern Europe and his years as a teenage Maoist helped to shape his life.

Mr Sayle also answered questions from the audience about his showbusiness career.