AN ex-pat who auctioned his life on eBay has secured a Disney film deal for his story.

The entertainment giant has reportedly paid North-East born Ian Usher an undisclosed sum for a retainer on his life story, which has also seen him attempt to complete 100 lifetime ambitions in as many weeks.

Darlington-born Mr Usher, who emigrated to Australia in 2002, made headlines worldwide when he put his sun-drenched life, including his house, car, job and even friends, up for sale on internet auction site eBay in March 2008.

The 46-year-old made the brave move because he wanted a fresh start following the breakdown of his marriage.

Disney offered Mr Usher, who was educated at Barnard Castle School, a time-limited option on his life for sale story, believed to be worth tens of thousands of pounds.

It is unclear whether they will renew it when the time limit is ended.

Since the Life4Sale project, Mr Usher has started 100 Weeks, 100 Goals, which includes an ambition to raise £25,000 for a bowel cancer charity in memory of his late father.

Speaking from South Africa, where he is completing goal 80, Mr Usher told The Northern Echo yesterday: "There was some movie interest. Disney actually purchased an option on the ALife4Sale story, and their option is due to expire any day now, March or April I think. I don't know if they intend to renew the option or not.

"All is still going well, 79 goals achieved at the end of 81 weeks, and goal 80 in progress."

Goals completed so far have included bungee jumping in France, plunging 40ft under the ocean off the coast of Italy and being splattered with tomatoes in a world-famous free for-all fruit fight in Valencia, in Spain.

Also on the list is driving a car off a jetty, nude sky diving, joining the mile-high club, meeting Richard Branson and flying in an MIG fighter jet.

"I'm currently in South Africa, and fly to Perth, Australia on Monday, ten months since I last left there," added Mr Usher.

"I plan about a month in Australia, then India, Nepal, Russia, England at about end of April - I still have to gather five Ian Ushers, and plan to do this in the North-East - and finally on to America for the end of my 100 weeks on July 4. I am planning a bit of a celebration in New York to end things."

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