He describes Lord Larry: The Secret Life of Laurence Olivier, a Personal and Intimate Portrait as a biography-memoir.

Although Michael has written many books, including best sellers John Wayne: The Man Behind the Myth and Jimmy Stewart: The Truth Behind the Legend, this latest book marks a shift in style.

"It's the first book I've written since having a heart attack almost three years ago," he said, "and I guess what tends to happen with life-changing events like that, is that you look at life with a new perception. I certainly have.

"I've known some of the most extraordinary people in films and theatre and I've had some extraordinary experiences, and decided I really ought to celebrate those people and experiences. 

"So I decided to write a biography of Laurence Olivier who I knew well, but as a personal portrait. 

It's certainly about his whole life and work, but it's also about my friendship with him."

Michael, who lives in Acton, first met Olivier as a schoolboy on a visit to the film set of Othello in 1965. 

But he really got to know him better after they met up again on the set of Sleuth in 1972, when Michael was working as a film publicist.

"Everyone called him Larry, but I was very young and somehow felt it wasn't respectful for me to call him that. I suggested I call him Sir Laurence but he baulked at that idea.

"Then he said, 'You shall call me Lord Larry.' It was a joke, but I always called him Lord Larry after that. 

"He came from a family fond of nicknames. He wanted one for me. Because of my initials he called me M'n'M, which came out as Eminem, like the rap star!"

Michael spent time with Olivier at The National Theatre Company, where Olivier taught him about directing, and later, when Olivier was making Clash of the Titans at Pinewood Studios, he gave Michael acting lessons. 

"By then I'd decided I wanted to be an actor. I'd done some walk-on work in films and thought I'd give acting a try. So he gave me lessons in his dressing rooms between scenes."

Michael says that he hopes his book will take the reader on a journey with him, to locations such as Cornwall in 1978 for the filming of Dracula, when Olivier's fingers were so sore from a skin disease it was too painful for him to shake hands, to The Apollo Theatre in 1970 when Michael sat with Sir Ralph Richardson and Sir John Gielgud while they wittily discussed their friendships and associations with Olivier, to a time in 1972 when Michael and Sir Anthony Quayle listened to Peter Finch talk about his infamous affair with Vivien Leigh, to the final time he and Olivier met, in 1981, for what proved to be an emotional farewell.

"My books before the heart attack were never as intimate as this one," says Michael. "After such a scare, this book was a way for me to re-evaluated life and get back on course.

"I've started acting again as well. I stopped for a while. The confidence goes as you fight poor health for a long time. I'm a whole lot better now."

Michael used to appear on stage regularly at The Quay Theatre, and hopes to get back on to it, perhaps next year.

In the meantime, he is soon to appear for the Boxford Drama Group in Same Time, Next Year, from September 13 to 15 at Boxford Village Hall.