Alternative comedy performer Anthony Irvine, AKA The Iceman, is to be the subject of a new documentary.

The Iceman is a cult figure who was a mainstay of the 1980s comedy circuit. His act involved bringing a block of ice onto the stage, whereupon he would set about melting it by any means necessary, including tools, fire, or simply his breath. Paul Merton wrote about The Iceman in his autobiography, and fellow comics Bill Bailey, Jo Brand and Mike Myers (who called him "incredible... one of my favourites") have all spoken fondly of their memories of him. During his time performing the act, Irvine had a cameo in Hollywood film Funny Bones, a story about an American comedian who attempts to find his roots in the variety theatre of Blackpool.

Recently, Irvine and author Robert Wringham penned Melt It! The Book of the Iceman. Featuring stories and colour artwork, and with a foreword by Simon Munnery and an afterword by Stewart Lee, it was published by comedy distributors Go Faster Stripe in January.

Now, Wringham, Irvine and YouTuber Mark Cartwright, having met a £1000 funding goal on Kickstarter, are developing Melt It: The Film Of The Iceman as an accompaniment to the book.

A conversation between Irvine and Wringham has already been filmed, with the funding still needed to include other elements, such as contributions from Irvine's colleagues and contemporaries on the comedy circuit, as well as people from his current life as an artist.

The Kickstarter campaign runs until the 17th January. The producers say: "How much permanence and success can we assure for this man whose entire act was about impermanence and failure? Back the film and be among the first to find out. Our aim (aim!) is to complete the film by late-2024, then we hope to secure a limited run of UK art cinemas and possible streaming distribution by our friends at Go Faster Stripe."