Comedian Michael McIntyre signed copies of his new autobiography for hundreds of fans at a Watford supermarket this afternoon (Thursday).

The Royal Variety performer joked with the crowd, some of whom queued for hours to get up close to him, at Tesco Extra, in Lower High Street.

One group of teenagers arrived at 8am for the midday signing and were the first to meet the comic, a former pupil at Old Merchant Taylors' School, in Northwood.

Emily O'Donnell, 17, said: “I'm so happy – it was worth getting up at 6am for. When we arrived and asked where we should wait, a member of staff looked at us as though we were mad. He's just so funny, we love him.”

McIntyre, who was forced to pull out of a signing at the Watford store in November with flu, joked that this time he had simply come back with a different illness.

The charismatic comedian chatted and joked with fans during the signing, which lasted about two hours.