A FORMER ITV boss is about to publish her fourth book.

Helen Warner, from Colchester, released a hardback version of her book, the Story of our Lives, in February.

On Saturday, she will release it in paperback, with a special book signing at Waterstone’s and Red Lion Books in Colchester.

The book follows the story of four friends over 20 years.

Helen, who was Head of Daytime for ITV and Channel 4, said: “I came up with the idea for the book when I was on a weekend away with my girlfriends, which is something we have done every year for 20 years and I know a lot of women do the same with their girlfriends.

“It is about four friends who met at university and meet up every year for a girls’ weekend away.

“We only catch up with them on the weekend away and the book spans 20 years, so it is about what happens in their lives over that period of time.

“The main theme of the book is the power of female friendship to sustain us through the tough times.” She wrote the book on her train journeys to work from Colchester to London, where she worked on programmes such as Come Dine with Me and Good Morning Britain.

Mrs Warner, 49, said: “It took about eight months to write.”

“It is my fourth book, I have just completed by fifth, which is called The Perfect Girl and will be out next year.”

Helen is married to husband Rob, her childhood sweetheart, and they live in Colchester with children Alice, 18, and Paddy, 15.

She launched her book at Red Lion Books on July 14 and will also be appearing at Waterstones on July 28.

The book is being published by HQ.