Julian Clary is to publish the second instalment of his memoirs in October.

The Lick of Love: How Dogs Changed My Life will see the comedian talk about his life through his relationship with his beloved dogs.

The new book will focus on Clary's years building up his stand-up career and finding success on television.

The publishers explain: "From one of Britain's best-loved comedians comes this wonderfully funny, sharp and touching memoir and a celebration of the bond between man and dog - an autobidography, if you will.

"The Lick of Love takes us on a tour of Julian's colourful life - and wherever life has taken him, Julian has had a dog by his side. Fanny the Wonder Dog, who came into Julian's life when he was somewhat adrift, propelled him up the ranks of the alternative comedy circuit and onto television. Valerie, the whippet cross-breed escorted Julian through his forties, the Germaine Greer to his Bernard Manning. Albert, a jaunty geezer type who was sent to acclimatise Julian to middle age and helped him seduce his now husband, before being joined by naughty but nice Gigi, an unpredictable fur bullet of a dog. These canine characters have been there, bearing witness, on and off stage.

"Whether writing about encounters in seedy London nightclubs, finding success on television with Sticky Moments, the death of his partner, that Norman Lamont joke, a narrow squeak with a thwarted eastern European plot to kidnap him, his move to the country, or finally settling down, falling in love and getting married, Julian's unique voice bounces off the page. Ultimately, The Lick of Love is the story of a fascinating life and a love letter to the dogs that have played a loving and near constant part of it. Told with humour and great honesty, this promises to be one of the best memoirs of the year."

The new book follows on from A Young Man's Passage, which was published by Clary in 2005. In the interim, the comedian has been writing fiction novels and children's series The Bolds.

Jane Sturrock from publishers Quercus told The Bookseller: "I loved A Young Man's Passage when it was first published in 2005 and have been badgering Julian to write a book to pick up where that left off - there's certainly no shortage of things to say! The Lick of Love is a memoir told through his relationship with his dogs, each of whom has had their special part to play, and it is every bit as entertaining, funny and filthy as I'd hoped."

Julian Clary says: "I am thrilled to the marrow to have my second memoir published by the discerning folk at Quercus Books. The Lick of Love is, if you will, an autobi-dog-raphy, and tells the tale of how my canine companions have guided me and helped me through a fun and frisky life."