Trivia

Having had enormous success as a novelist through most of the 1960s, he wanted to move into films at a time when the film industry in Britain was booming. He co-produced two films with his friend Brian Duffy, the well-known photographer-Only When I Larf (1968), based on Deighton's novel, was a box-office failure, but Deighton hoped for better from their second film, Oh! What a Lovely War (1969), which he also scripted. However, he fell out markedly with the film's director, Richard Attenborough (who had starred in "Only When I Larf"). It was a subject close to Deighton's heart, and he was infuriated by Attenborough's extensive changing of his screenplay, changes that he claimed had softened the film, diluting the anger of his writing. As a result, he withdrew his credit as both writer and producer--the film has no writing credit at all. Deighton produced no more films.

Is as famous for his cook books and his non-fiction as he is for his best-selling spy novels.

Has written series about two different characters who go unnamed. The first series, also known as the "Harry Palmer" series (from the name given the character in the movies) comprises five books: "The Ipcress File" (1962), "Horse Under Water" (1963), "Funeral in Berlin" (1964), "Billion-Dollar Brain" (1966) and "An Expensive Place to Die" (1967). The second series, aka the "Patrick Armstrong" series (from an alias used by the character in one book), comprises "Spy Story" (1972), "Yesterday's Spy" (1975) and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Spy" (1976). The two series are distinguished by vastly different styles of plot, humor and characters, but because the hero is unnamed in both, and because the books feature some of the same secondary characters, they are often thought to star a single, continuous character. This was not helped by the publisher, which put photos of Michael Caine (as 'Harry Palmer') on the covers of all the books.

Is an accomplished cook and gastronome, having made a name for himself in the 1960s with his quirky "cookstrips" that were carried by the "London Observer" newspaper.

Left the United Kingdom in 1969, eventually settling in California. The writer has stated that he is unlikely to return to the UK and that he views it as a foreign place.

Was born in a workhouse in Marylebone, London.

Wrote "The Ipcress File" whilst on holiday and initially had no plans to have it published.

Received an angry response from some R.A.F veterans, when the novel "Bomber" was published. Len Deighton claims he was slightly surprised by this.

For many years, the writer has effectively shunned any kind of publicity.

When asked how he sought inspiration for his spy novels, Len Deighton said he had a couple of useful contacts via a close acquaintance.

For his "Harry Palmer" novels, Len Deighton was praised for creating a fictional spy that seemed more real than James Bond, George Smiley and Simon Templar.

Has maintained contact with Michael Caine on occasion.

Len Deighton's bestselling novel "Bomber" was adapted for radio by the BBC in 1995. It became a considerable success.

Shared a basement flat in London with composer Ted Dicks for many years.

Has been married twice. His first wife was the illustrator Shirley Thompson, whom he married in 1960. After more than five years of living apart, they were divorced in 1976. His second wife Ysabele was the daughter of a Dutch diplomat.

Was the subject of the BBC TV documentary "The Truth About Len Deighton.".

Before becoming a successful writer, Len Deighton worked for a brief period as an airline steward for B.O.A.C. He resigned from his job but the reasons remain unknown.

Deighton latterly assumed some responsibility for the falling out with Richard Attenborough, conceding he could have been more patient as Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) was the actor's first attempt at film directing.

Despite the critical acclaim for his spy novels in their approach to authenticity, Len Deighton has had no formal training or experience in British Intelligence work.

His entry into the world of spy fiction was fueled by a dislike for the glamorous espionage world of Ian Fleming.

He worked as a flight attendant for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) between 1956 and 1957 before becoming a professional illustrator. He designed illustrated magazines and over 200 book covers, including the first UK edition of Jack Kerouac's 1957 work On the Road.

He became a railway clerk before doing national service with the RAF, where he became a photographer with the Special Investigation Branch of the military police, which involved shooting crime scenes.

His father was chauffeur to the well-heeled Campbell Dodgson, Keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. His mother was a part-time cook.

Deighton attended the Saint Martin's School of Art and the Royal College of Art in London; he graduated from the latter in 1955.

While he was working a temporary job as a pastry chef at the Royal Festival Hall, Deighton would make sketches to remember some of the steps he took preparing dishes. He developed the idea into the concept of the "cookstrip", a full recipe within a cartoon-style illustration. Following the publication of one of Deighton's cookstrips in the Daily Express in 1961, The Observer commissioned him to provide a weekly series for its own magazine, which he did between March 1962 and August 1966.

Sometimes mangled, his surname was pronounced 'Dayton'.

Lived in Merrick Square in London.

As a child, the author admitted that his father always expected Deighton to excel at anything. By contrast, his mother was more easy-going.

When his first novel "The Ipcress File" was due for publication, Len Deighton wanted a white book cover. His publishers initially refused but eventually conceded.