AFTER a 45-year media career reporting from all over the world on sport, acclaimed Dunster author Dennis Coath has released his latest book written while sitting on a bench on Grabbist Hill.

Dennis, whose Dunster home is possibly the most photographed cottage in England, regularly walks the hill with his giant labrador dog Jimmy to take inspiration from the stunning West Somerset environment.

So, sitting atop the hill on a public bench and taking out his notebook he wrote much of his new novel ‘The Band that Time Forgot’.

The 246-page tome tells the story of rock and roll band The Dogs, who in 1962 have a chance encounter with two members of a band called The Beatles – but that is the closest they come to fame and they go their separate ways.

Then, 55 years later, The Dogs get together for one last recording session and for a laugh issue a record.

It is picked up by a radio station with nine million listeners and suddenly The Dogs are rising as a geriatric, pop, phoenix phenomenon, starting a fanatical cult of ‘pensioner power’.

Already, Dennis is in talks with a ‘big’ company interested in turning the novel into a film.

“It is just amazing,” he said. “I am hanging on to see what happens.’

The latest novel from Dunster author Dennis Coath, which could be on the way to being made into a film.
The latest novel from Dunster author Dennis Coath, which could be on the way to being made into a film. (Dennis Coath)

During his media career Dennis worked in newspapers, radio, and television, and as a sports editor, presenter, reporter, and newsreader with ITV and BBC, and also produced several documentaries.

He has written books with England’s greatest cricketer and Somerset’s own Sir Ian Botham, the country’s most capped footballer Peter Shilton, and interviewed names such as boxing’s Muhammad Ali, Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna, motorcycling champion Barry Sheene, tennis legend Bjorn Borg, footballers David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, and legendary Stanley Matthews, as well as football managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough, rugby world greats Martin Johnson and Jonah Lomu, and horse racing immortal Lester Piggott.

During one 12-month spell Dennis travelled for his reporting to Vietnam, South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, France, and Italy.

He has also worked as a media trainer, schooling Cabinet Ministers, captains of industry, and sports personalities, not to mention he has a degree in politics and an MA in history.

His autobiography ‘Rats, Pies and Pigeon Poo’ was released two years ago and he was also one of the star names at last year's Dulverton Exmoor Literary Festival.

‘The Band that Time Forgot’ is published by Olympia Publishers.