PAUL Connolly is outselling some of the world’s best-known authors and his memoir is set to be made into a film – not bad for someone who was illiterate until he was 25.

The personal trainer’s life story, Against All Odds, was top of the Kindle bestseller list on Amazon over Christmas and is currently at number four in the chart.

Paul, from Billericay, is outselling established international authors such as Stieg Larsson and even Arthur Conan Doyle, whose Sherlock Holmes books have seen a huge rise in popularity thanks to the BBC series.

Now film rights to the story are under discussion with the feature production arm of a major TV company.

Paul, 49, joked: “Jason Statham has been mentioned, and even Bruce Willis.

“When I was in a children’s home they used to tell me I’d never amount to anything and was only good for prison.

“Now there’s talk of making a film about me.”

Paul’s autobiography tells the story of his childhood when he was dumped in a dustbin as a baby and brought up in an Essex children’s home, where abuse was rife.

Paul discovered self-confidence and self-respect, thanks to a natural talent for boxing.

He was a rising star of the boxing world when an accident, which left one arm almost severed and the other hand cut in half, put an end to his career in the ring.

He recovered from his injuries, retrained as a personal trainer fitness instructor and went on to work with stars such as Jodie Foster and supermodel Elle McPherson.

At 25, he finally taught himself to read and write.

Against All Odds sold 5,000 copies in print, but took off when it became available for the e-book reader Kindle.

Paul said: “The book’s success doesn't change my life, but is a sort of extra boost.

“The fact so many people seem to find it an inspiration is really good to know.

“One of my clients read it to her mum just before she died. Her mum wanted it to be sealed in the coffin with her.”

The e-book is available on Amazon for 99p.