The Pen is Mightier: Autobiography of a Punk Rocker

by Edward Tudor Pole

Best known for forming the punk band Tenpole Tudor in 1977, Ed Tudor Pole eventually came to prominence after appearing in the film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as a possible replacement for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols. The Pen is Mightier recounts his fascinating youth prepunk and during the time of Sid Vicious and The Clash before he moved on to an acting career appearing in numerous films and plays including Sid & Nancy, Absolute Beginners, a long term association with cult film director Alex Cox, and cameo appearances in Harry Potter and Game of Thrones. He was also the presenter of beloved TV gameshow The Crystal Maze, post the Richard O'Brien era. Since 2004, Ed has been back on a 20 year words and music tour playing more than 1,000 concerts.

'If I had to be abandoned on a desert island with an actor, I can think of no better co-castaway than Ed. His book is tremendous - particularly when he writes about the early days of punk. He was there, man! He lived it, and his storytelling is vivid and exciting' - Alex Cox

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2026

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

really enjoyed this autobiography charting his career as a musician and an actor some funny and interesting stories charting the ups and many downs of his career

[Richard Luck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early book-of-the-year contender. Wunderbar!

[PAUL SEERY · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the Punk Rocker, Tv presenter and actor who despises the acting profession (and he gives his reasons for this in Chapter 23.) A very warm hearted book, funny in lots of places. He found his calling after seeing the Stones on tv in 1964. The emergence of the Punk movement in the ‘70s fitted him like a leather glove. He was primed and ready for the chaos of it all.

I’ve read lots of rock autobiographies over the years and few are as wildly entertaining as this. Read this and it’ll put a smile on your face.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read from Edward Tudor Pole. Was he a punk? TV presenter? Actor? He was all three, starting off in music and, ultimately, drawn back to music. This is his journey of finding himself having been an apparent outcast. A feeling of not quite fitting in, which I can totally relate to. He meets and works with a wide range of musicians and thespians over the decades and what a journey it is.

[Martin Whatmough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. A very Frank and personal view of a career (and life). Not a mega star perhaps but someone who’s lived there life they wanted to live and achieved what they wanted to achieve.

Hilariously funny in parts, very poignant in others and overall very much written in the style only Ed Tenpole could.

[Ben Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A breezy and entertaining ramble through a life that has splintered off in all sorts of directions - all told in the manner of a chap who has been honing this book since he was a Stones-obsessed teen. No bitterness, just love for the fortune of several, almost accidental careers.

[Steve Amphlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent autobiography for people of his/my generation.

[John Seven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed seems like a lovely bloke and I'm grateful to him for taking the time to write this. I wish his old music had made a bigger impact in the US, it really deserved it.