The British star of TV medical drama House has captivated Gallic audiences, and now his almost forgotten novel is taking over the bestseller lists

The French have long had a soft spot for the most illustrious of British exports. They devoured Shakespeare, adored Thomas Paine, and so admired Bertrand Russell that they baptised him "the English Voltaire".

Now they have fallen for another rosbif, a colossus of the contemporary cultural scene best known for starting bun fights at the Drones club and knocking back Vicodin in hospital corners. In awe of a man whose charm is "irresistible" and talent "unstoppable", France has lost its heart to Hugh Laurie.

The actor, who until the launch of the US medical drama House two years ago was an almost unknown name across the Channel, has found himself catapulted into the Parisian media spotlight after the translation of a novel he wrote more than a decade ago proved a runaway success. Industry figures last week showed that, in March, the Jeeves and Wooster star shifted more copies of his ageing spoof spy thriller than any other writer in France. Tout Est Sous Contrôle, whose original title was The Gun Seller, has sold more than 100,000 copies since its release in February by a little-known new publishing house.

"This was a real scoop," said François Verdoux, the triumphant head of Sonatine books, whose editorial director stumbled across the novel on Amazon after watching an episode of House.

"You have to realise Dr House [its French title] is a phenomenon here," he added. "But, despite his incredible popularity, no one had the faintest idea Laurie had written a book. There was no risk involved here; it was a no-brainer."

Since launching in February 2007 on France's leading private network, TF1, the series has become a hit, seducing prime-time viewers with its fast-moving storylines and quick-fire repartee.

But if there is one factor to thank for its cult-like following and sky-high ratings - it passed the 10 million mark in March - it is undoubtedly Laurie himself. Enamoured of his character, whose truculence they adore, and infatuated by his "innately British" charm, French viewers have taken him to their hearts.

The celebrity magazine Voici declared him "the greatest seducer in the world". Another gushed: "With Hugh Laurie, you don't sleep, you laugh. With Hugh Laurie ... you are moved ... It's the year of Hugh Laurie or it's no one's year at all. And, for now, there isn't the slightest sign of France overdosing."

The surprise success of The Gun Seller, first published in English in 1996, has transported Laurie from the realm of mere celebrity to the stratosphere of multi-talented superstar. True to its historic appreciation of writers, France has bowed before the altar of its new favourite petit Anglais now that he has proved his prowess with a pen.

"It is a thriller that plays with the codes of the genre," said Philippe Besson, reviewing the book for Europe 1 radio and praising its "caustic wit" and "well-mastered suspense". Seeing in Thomas Lang, the whisky-swilling, responsibility-dodging protagonist, the embryo of the mercurial Gregory House, he said: "Both the series and the book are laced with black humour. If you like Dr House you'll love The Gun Seller."

It is this quality of anti-heroism - rare for mainstream French series - which has the country hooked, said Jean-Michel Maire, chief television critic for Le Figaro. Both Lang - "36, penniless and achingly single" - and House are refreshingly flawed as human beings.

"He's a change from the kind of smooth guy we're used to - the George Clooney types," said Maire of the US character. "He's rude. He's cynical. He's acid. But it's his spiciness which has made the ratings go through the roof."

For others it is Laurie's embodiment of a specific kind of anti-hero that appeals. House, in particular, is an awkward, arrogant misfit with a distaste for authority and a need to do things his own way.

No wonder France adores him, said Valérie Hurier, television editor at Télérama magazine. "He is so cynical and politically incorrect. He's misanthropic and he breaks with the orthodox rules, has no time for following protocol and plays with laws, but all for a noble aim. For all that, we absolutely love him."

Hurier - a "huge fan" of Laurie - is one of a growing legion of female devotees keen to label him the next Hugh Grant. "In the UK you have some excellent actors who manage to play their parts with great charm, yet remain distant," she said. "He [Laurie] has a charm that is very British, even when he's playing a character who is very American." Virginie de Clausade, a television presenter, agreed. "I am such a fan. He is so sexy. He has that English charm, that class."

Macho male viewers, too, have fallen under Laurie's spell. Yannick Clareton declared on Facebook that he should be "promoted to master of the world".

Heroes abroad

David Hasselhoff

Germany was improbably receptive to the Baywatch star's attempts at a musical career. His short-lived success peaked with a performance atop the crumbling Berlin Wall in November 1989 and a number one hit entitled 'Looking For Freedom'.

Sir Norman Wisdom

The comic was mobbed by fans whenever he visited Albania, where he is a cult figure, thanks to dictator Enver Hoxha's decree that his slapstick films should be shown to entertain the masses.

Chris de Burgh

It's not every pop star whose lyrics are translated into Farsi, but to Iran Chris de Burgh is not every pop star. In 2007 the 'Lady in Red' singer was invited to become the first western pop act to play in the country since 1979.

Nigella Lawson

The domestic goddess seduced the US with her culinary talents. In 2006 she launched Nigella Feasts on TV's Food Network.