CANDY JAR AUTHOR IN ACT OF PIRACY

Terry Cooper, the author of the KANGAZANG! Trilogy, has been seen in public quite a lot this year. Except that while most people won't recognise him, they'll definitely recognise his alter ego, a certain Pirate Captain from a saga of blockbuster movies.

Masquerading as 'Cardiff Jack Sparrow', Terry has been seen at numerous public events in Cardiff and the surrounding area, and he has been invited by the people at Cardiff's Heath Hospital to attend their Christmas Spectacular day on Friday 13th December.

Hosted and broadcast on the day by Real Radio Wales, it promises to be a fun day for everyone. It's open from 6am to the public, and the hospital hopes to raise funds and Christmas gifts from donations by the public, which will then be distributed among the hospital's patients. The event ends at 7pm, so there will be lots of opportunities to come along and have some fun.

Terry in his Piratey Alter-ego, Cardiff Jack Sparrow. PICTURE: Steve Upham at New Pixel Design

Terry is currently busy putting the finishing touches to his sci-fi comedy trilogy, with KANGAZANG: Small Cosmos due for release next year. Of his unexpected 'infamy' as Jack Sparrow, Terry says:

"It's been snowballing all the time. I initially did it for a bit of fun back in 2007, with a cheap, home made costume, but now I'm quite in demand. Everyone I meet tells me that I've got the look, voice and mannerisms of Jack Sparrow down perfectly. The public of all ages get a real buzz from meeting me and I enjoy it just as much as them. Sadly, I don't look like Johnny Depp at all in real life - that'd be great, but until Disney sign me up for his stand-in, it's back to struggling author. But if you're reading this, Mr. Bruckheimer, I'm available at very short notice!"

In 'civvies' - L-R: Publisher Shaun Russell, actor Colin Baker, and Terry Cooper

 So if you've always wanted to meet Johnny Depp... we can't help you there. But it's been said that Terry's Captain Jack is the next best thing! Pop along to the Heath Hospital on Friday December 13th and sea for yourself! (Sea what we did there?)

You can also find 'Cardiff Jack Sparrow' here on Facebook: CLICK HERE