Danny Bate, who now lives in Prague but who grew up in south Norfolk and went to school in Norwich, has just finished his debut work Why Q Needs U.

Danny Bate’s new book, Why Q Needs U(Image: Peter Walsh, Norwich)

It is an intriguing journey through the English alphabet, delving into history, archaeology, politics and linguistics in the pursuit of where we get our writing from.

Mr Bate also looks to answer some of the questions thrown up by our language, like “why there is there a K in knee or a B in debt?”.

Danny Bate with his new book Why Q Needs U(Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The 29-year-old flew back to the UK – and Norfolk – to help try and “spread the word” about the book at various events, including in London.

The University of York and University of Cambridge graduate – who took a PhD in linguistics at the University of Edinburgh – has turned his passion for the study of historical language and etymology into the basis for his first publication.

“I just really wanted to write a book,” said Mr Bate.

He said the idea for the book was driven by a love of language and understanding where it all came from, how it started and has evolved.

From conception to published book, it had taken Mr Bate around two years to get to this stage.

Danny Bate with his new book Why Q Needs U(Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

But he said he had a “five-month window” to write “the bulk of the text” and “research it” after originally forming the idea in December 2023.

Although he had 26 letters to write about Mr Bate said there were some favourites among the alphabet.

“There were definitely some letters I enjoyed writing about more than others,” he said.

One of Mr Bate’s favourites was A. He said N was the letter he least enjoyed penning a chapter on, even though his own name contains two of the letters.

The book has garnered high praise from another Norfolk son Stephen Fry with the actor, comedian, broadcaster and writer describing it as a “wonderful achievement” which he “couldn’t recommend it more highly”.

The book Why Q Needs U is published by Bonnier Books UK and available from all good book shops.