A best-selling novel by former vicar Graham Taylor is about to be made into a West End and Broadway show.

Mr Taylor had to sell his motorbike to get his first book, Shadowmancer, published. It became an international best-seller and a multi-million dollar film of the dark, 18th Century adventure is about to go into production.

Moves are now afoot to turn his second book, the critically-acclaimed Wormwood, into a rock opera.

Theatre legend Andrew Lloyd Webber is being approached by the producers.

Mr Taylor, 44, former vicar of Cloughton, near Scarborough, North Yorkshire, gave up his parish earlier this year after a heart scare and now concentrates on his writing.

His third book, Tersias, is due to be published in September next year.

The father-of-three was delighted when he heard of the rock opera plan.

Hollywood-based Fortitude Films, which bought the film rights to Shadowmancer, has also optioned Wormwood and has approached a West End production company to stage a musical of the book in London and New York.

Production costs could be up to $20m and, if successful, the project would be followed by a film.

"I couldn't believe it when I first heard about it," said Mr Taylor yesterday.

He has even been asked for a wish-list of stars for a West End version, and has suggested Canadian opera star Daniel Taylor, Pop Idol winner Will Young, former S-Clubber Rachel Stevens and pop legend Kate Bush.

Published: 17/08/2004