The new play, I, Tommy, is described as a "tragi-comedy" and will embark on a national tour in the autumn.

Comedian and actor Des McLean, famous for his uncanny impersonations of the former politician, will play the central character.

Ian Pattison describes how he came to transform Tommy Sheridan into a stage creation in a theatre journey labelled "From Karl Marx To Coolio", a reference to Sheridan's stay in the Big Brother house in January 2009.

"The Tommy Sheridan story is quite incredible," said the writer.

"This was a man who a few years ago was voted the Second Greatest Scot Ever, behind Sean Connery. And then he finds himself in jail convicted of perjury.

"The idea of the play is to trace his life and work out how such a powerful, charismatic character can reach the point whereby his life turns into a nuclear catastrophe, with a narrative propelled by dark humour. Very dark humour."

Ian Pattison's script is described as "an imaginative interpretation based on real-life events with an added comic flavour" and is based on the vast selection of material and interviews released on Tommy Sheridan.

"It's certainly not a homage to Tommy Sheridan," says the writer. "But it highlights how Tommy was popular enough to become First Minister of Scotland – and how hubris and self-destruction managed to get in the way."

The complete cast is yet to be announced, with several major Scots names in the frame. The play will run at the King's Theatre in early November.