Why the French love Hugh Laurie

The thoroughly English actor Hugh Laurie's success as the lead in the American hospital series House M.D. - he's won two Golden Globes for best actor despite occasionally letting his American accent slip - has surprised many who used to enjoy his performances opposite Stephen Fry in programmes like A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster.

Now, they need to prepare themselves for a bigger shock: it appears the French have elevated Laurie to the status of sex symbol and national treasure. And it's not just his TV role as the truculent Dr House that's done it - it's the discovery of a spoof spy thriller the actor wrote more than a decade ago called The Gun Seller.

Translated by an enterprising French publisher and given the title Tout Est Sous Controle, the book has sold more than 100,000 copies since its publication in February. During March, Laurie sold more copies in France than any other writer.

"It was a no-brainer," said the Francois Verdoux, head of the small publishing house Sonatine. "You have to realise Dr House [as House is titled on TF1, where it has been broadcast for two years] is a phenomenon here. There was no risk involved."

Indeed, it seems Laurie can do no wrong in France. The bloody-minded, politically incorrect anti-hero he plays in House has captivated men and women alike.

Valerie Hurier, TV editor at Telerama magazine, said: "He has a charm that is very British, even when he's playing a character who is very American." Virgine de Claudade, a French television presenter, added: "I am such a fan. He is so sexy. He has that English charm, that class."

Jean-Michel Maire, chief TV critic of the Figaro said: "He's a change from the kind of smooth guy we're used to - the George Clooney types. He's rude. He's cynical. He's acid. But it's his spiciness which has made the ratings go through the roof."

Last word to the celebrity magazine Voici: they called him "the greatest seducer in the world".

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