Clintonmania as fans flock to book signing

It was a scene of mass adulation usually reserved for movie stars or boyband members - certainly not for politicians.

Clintonmania came to London as the former US president began the British leg of his tour to promote his best-selling autobiography, My Life. At Waterstone's flagship shop the fans began queuing yesterday afternoon, and early this morning there were at least 70.

As the time of Mr Clinton's arrival - 1pm - neared, the numbers soared. He will be signing only 2,000 issues of his book, Waterstone's said, and it is expected there will be hundreds of disappointed fans turned back. A Waterstone's staff member said: "Hillary managed to sign 500 an hour [of her autobiography] - we'll see if he can beat that." Security for Mr Clinton will be tight. The first floor of the building has been blacked out and turned into a secure zone for the duration of the signing, at which Mr Clinton will be flanked by a retinue of secret service agents.

Today's sales will add to Mr Clinton's already impressive tally. My Life - for which he reportedly received a ?5.3 million advance - tops the US bestseller list, outperforming his wife's book.

The 957-page volume charts his rise to president and goes into the business of leading the free world in precise detail. However, he is less candid when it comes to his affair with Monica Lewinsky, covering it in only a few paragraphs.

After the signing Mr Clinton is due to be interviewed on the Richard and Judy show. Later he will go to Guildhall, where he will host the most high-powered book launch of the year.