Just one of Murray's many gems which crop up throughout the book. Yule, an obvious fan, has dug deep into Murray's past - speaking to family and old friends as well as stars of Scottish stage and screen.

The tale is ultimately one of tragedy and missed opportunities. Chic Murray, says Scottish entertainer Johnnie Beattie, would have been massive given half a chance.

The inspiration behind a thousand "straight comics" with his laconic delivery and bizarre flights of fancy, Murray was - and is - much loved in his native land.

Billy Connolly called him "a comic genius".

Enough said.