The rags-to-riches story of motor-cycling legend Barry Sheene will be brought to the big screen in a feature-length biopic by the writers of Porridge, Lovejoy and The Likely Lads.

The daredevil cockney rebel’s rise from delivery driver to two-time world motorcycle champion is the subject of the new screenplay Sheene by Ian La Frenais, 80, and Dick Clement, 78.

Sheene, who lived a playboy lifestyle and famously survived two major crashes in the Seventies, is credited with taking the sport into the mainstream.

One of the most daring and distinguished riders in its history, he died aged 52 after a short battle with cancer in 2003.

Barry Sheene - In pictures 12 show all Barry Sheene - In pictures 1/12 barry-sheene-yamaha.jpg 1980: Barry Sheen on a Yamaha Getty Images 2/12 barry-sheene-winning.jpg 1977: Sheene celebrates after winning the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim Getty Images 3/12 barry-sheene-trophy.jpg Sheene is pictured with trophy and champagne after winning the Evening News Power-bike race at Brands Hatch on October 27 1974 Associated Newspapers 4/12 barry-sheene-practice.jpg Sheene during qualifying practice before the International Classics held at Donnington 5/12 barry-sheene-wife.jpg Sheene and his wife Stephanie with their daughter Sidonie Associated Newspapers 6/12 nigel-mansell-barry-sheene.jpg Nigel Mansell talks to the former world champion motorcycle racer at Silverstone 7/12 barry-sheene-water-ski.jpg Trying out the new Ski Free machine at the Princes Club Associated Newspapers 8/12 barry-sheene-injured.jpg The racing driver leaves Three Shires Hospital after a crash, showing his scars. In the background is physio Betsey Newton (right white dress) Associated Newspapers 9/12 barry-sheene-bike.jpg May 1979: Sheene on a Suzuki Getty Images 10/12 barry-sheene-superboat.jpg Testing out the new wet bike on the Thames Associated Newspapers 11/12 racing-suits.jpg Racing suits worn by (left to right) Graham Hill, Barry Sheene and Nelson Piquet are displayed at Sotheby's in 2012 Getty Images 12/12 barry-sheene-after-injury.jpg Sheene is helped onto his motorcycle by his father Frank (right) and his mechanic as he gets back onto his bike for the first time since a horrific crash in which he broke both his legs PA 1/12 barry-sheene-yamaha.jpg 1980: Barry Sheen on a Yamaha Getty Images 2/12 barry-sheene-winning.jpg 1977: Sheene celebrates after winning the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim Getty Images 3/12 barry-sheene-trophy.jpg Sheene is pictured with trophy and champagne after winning the Evening News Power-bike race at Brands Hatch on October 27 1974 Associated Newspapers 4/12 barry-sheene-practice.jpg Sheene during qualifying practice before the International Classics held at Donnington 5/12 barry-sheene-wife.jpg Sheene and his wife Stephanie with their daughter Sidonie Associated Newspapers 6/12 nigel-mansell-barry-sheene.jpg Nigel Mansell talks to the former world champion motorcycle racer at Silverstone 7/12 barry-sheene-water-ski.jpg Trying out the new Ski Free machine at the Princes Club Associated Newspapers 8/12 barry-sheene-injured.jpg The racing driver leaves Three Shires Hospital after a crash, showing his scars. In the background is physio Betsey Newton (right white dress) Associated Newspapers 9/12 barry-sheene-bike.jpg May 1979: Sheene on a Suzuki Getty Images 10/12 barry-sheene-superboat.jpg Testing out the new wet bike on the Thames Associated Newspapers 11/12 racing-suits.jpg Racing suits worn by (left to right) Graham Hill, Barry Sheene and Nelson Piquet are displayed at Sotheby's in 2012 Getty Images 12/12 barry-sheene-after-injury.jpg Sheene is helped onto his motorcycle by his father Frank (right) and his mechanic as he gets back onto his bike for the first time since a horrific crash in which he broke both his legs PA

Scriptwriters Clement and La Frenais, both now based in Hollywood, said they were amazed his “phenomenal” story had not been made into a film before.

La Frenais told the Standard: “It’s surprising it’s not been done. It’s about sport, but it’s also about living your life to the absolute limit.

“He’s a fascinating personality to portray. Barry couldn’t have been anything else but a Londoner. He was a chancer, a flirt but also an incredibly good bloke. He was a rock star.

“What people are really interested in is the crashes, that’s the fatal fascination. There were two incredible crashes he was involved in.

Back then the sport was in a terrible state, it was so dangerous and he dedicated his life to making those changes to motorsport.”

The film is based on a book by Sheene’s teammate and friend Steve Parrish and MotoGP commentator Nick Harris, who have both been consultants. It will be co-produced by Will Stoppard, son of playwright Tom.

Sheene was born off the Gray’s Inn Road, Clerkenwell, and grew up in Queen Square, Holborn. He kept the capital as his home as he travelled the globe, winning the world championship in 1976 and 1977.

Among the locations for shooting will be Tramp nightclub in Jermyn Street, where Sheene partied with celebrity friends including James Hunt, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.

It was there he met his wife, model Stephanie McLean, and where Clement and La Frenais spotted him several times.

La Frenais said: “You would see him there with his entourage. The whole of the room seemed to light up around him. He was always there with the prettiest girls, while the rock stars got the second prettiest. You could see he was an incredible figure but also an incredibly nice bloke.”

Stoppard said: “It’s a rush to be making a movie about Barry Sheene — bringing his story and legacy to the big screen.

"When Barry was thrown into the public eye after his Daytona crash, I remember feeling a sense of empathy with this intrepid character and he became a childhood hero.

"I was fascinated with him and the danger of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, it was a buzz. To have a British sporting icon who cheated death, did whatever it took to win, lived life to the full, and conquered the most dangerous sport in the world was inspiring.”

The film is a UK and Australian co-production between Deep Springs Pictures and I.O. Films. La Frenais and Clement are putting the finishing touches to the script.

Casting is expected to be within the next few months with filming starting later this year.