From the Stage to the Page: Devon’s Natural Mr Universe Ed Akay’s Creative Rise Continues

In late 2025, Natural Mr Universe Champion Ed Akay released his debut biography From Darkness, written by Jason Reading, which topped the Amazon bestseller charts in two categories. Riding that success, Akay continued his literary journey with A Legacy of Serenades, an intimate and emotionally charged poetry collection originally written as a private gift for his wife, Helen. 

Spanning more than eleven years, the collection brings together poems first crafted to mark life’s most meaningful moments, now curated into a single volume. Upon its release in January 2026, A Legacy of Serenades became an Amazon bestseller, ranking #8 in British & Irish Poetry, #10 in Love Poems, and #15 in Poetry Anthologies.

2026 marks a bold expansion of Akay’s creative footprint with the launch of his own PR company and publishing house, Midas Touch, alongside his move into acting with a role in the socially conscious film series Over & Over &, which is filmed in Devon.

A Legacy of Serenades is available now on Amazon in Kindle and hardback formats.

Ed Akay says: "These poems were never written for books or charts—they were written from love. The fact they’ve resonated with poetry readers is deeply humbling. I look forward to publishing more in the near future and helping other talent."