Television funny man Rob Brydon was in Norwich to sign copies of his new autobiography for fans this afternoon.

The actor, comedian, impersonator and all-round entertainer has shot to stardom in recent years for both his stand-up comedy shows and role as Uncle Bryn on the BBC's hit sitcom Gavin and Stacey.

Brydon drove down from Newcastle for the latest leg of his book tour to sign copies of Small Man In a Book at the Jarrold's store on Exchange Street.

But the 46-year-old Welshman admitted Norwich was not a totally strange city for him as he is close friends with Steve Coogan, whose alter-ego Alan Partridge famously knows all about our fine city.

Brydon said: 'My last live DVD was shot in Norwich, that was about two years ago, so I remember it from then and I've been here on tours.

'I have met Alan Partridge as well as Steve Coogan yes, I haven't seen him to tell him that I was coming here.

'(But) I don't know about the pedestrianisation of Norwich city centre, did it ever come off?'

Brydon was on good form, with his wide smile and cheeky sense of humour on show for all to see, as fans queued up the stairwell at the front of Jarrold's.

But life has not always been so sweet for him. Fame was a long time coming for a man who has done voiceovers for as many adverts as most people have had hot dinners.

Describing his autobiography, Brydon said: 'For a long time I was working away in local radio and local television trying to get work as an actor and struggling to do that.

'The book really catalogues a lot of heroic failures and struggling to get to where I wanted to be.

'I finish it in 2000, when I did Human Remains and Marrion and Geoff and won lots of awards and that kind of changed my life really and put me in a new position.'

To listen to our exclusive audio footage of Rob Brydon's favourite impersonation, click on the audio player at the top-right of this article.

Do you know of a celebrity coming to Norwich? Call reporter David Freezer on 01603 772418 or email david.freezer@archant.co.uk