Writer who kept 11-year secret dies

ONE of Britain's most popular romantic fiction writers Emma Blair has died - even though Emma was in fact a 6ft 3in tall Glaswegian called Iain.

"Emma" kept the secret that he was in fact a man for 11 years, until he finally revealed all after publicity surrounding an award.

The author wrote 29 bestselling novels set mainly in his native Scotland and adopted home in Devon, where he died this week after a battle with diabetes.

His wife Jane Blanchard said yesterday: "Emma was not the quiet, retiring type but 6ft 3in Glaswegian Iain Blair who enjoyed a pint and a smoke.

Mr Blair, 59, was forced to stop writing four years ago after he was diagnosed with diabetes.

He died at his home in Torquay, Devon, with his wife Jane and one of his sons, Angus, at his side.