Zadie's fiancé gets book deal

Zadie Smith is one of Britain's bestpaid, most promising young authors. Now her boyfriend - and rumoured husband-to-be - is set to follow in her footsteps.

Northern Ireland-born Nick Laird, 28, has won a £100,000 two-book deal after a fierce bidding war for his debut novel, an upmarket caper entitled Utterly Monkey.

Mr Laird has known Smith since they were Cambridge contemporaries. They have been in a relationship for about two years, it is understood.

He has now given up his job as a City lawyer at the prominent firm Allen and Overy to pursue his literary career full-time.

As well as bagging his impressive book deal, hearsay has it that Mr Laird has also bagged Smith for good - because the couple are planning to marry.

A source said last night: "They are getting married but I can't say anymore ... everyone has been sworn to secrecy."

Mr Laird and Smith, who have until now managed to avoid the limelight, are likely to become of of literary London's most lionised literary couples.

According to sources some five publishing houses were battling to win Mr Laird's signature on the basis of the first 100 pages of his novel.

The victory went to publishers Fourth Estate, whose senior commissioning editor (fiction) Clare Reihill said: "Nick is a natural talent, a born storyteller. Utterly Monkey is funny, clever and completely engaging."

Mr Laird said: "I'm thrilled to have had this reaction, and very happy to be published at Fourth Estate."