The highly anticipated book from the Outlander star hit the shelves on Tuesday, as fans of the Scots hunk finally learned a bit more about his late dad and the family dynamics which the 42-year-old kept under wraps.

Sam Heughan’s new book Waypoints is released today(Image: Starz)

The day Sam Heughan fans have waited for has finally arrived, in that his new book Waypoints has landed on the shelves.

His memoir, which has seen him recognised as a number one New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, explores the 42-year-old actor’s life and reflects on the ‘waypoints’ that define him.

Heughan has been known for being “notoriously private” surrounding his life off-screen but all is to be revealed with the drop of the tell-all book.

And as we previously reported he does open up about his family throughout the book, one of which will be a point of interest to many people is his dad David, who he has avoided speaking about openly until now.

He has previously said walking the West Highland Way helped him deal with the loss of his dad whilst talking to BBC One’s The One Show.

Sam Heughan fans went crazy when he revealed the cover of memoir Waypoints(Image: Instagram)

In a tragic turn of events after Heughan and his brother reunited with their dad in 2014, his dad David was sick with Leukaemia and passed away from the disease.

In the book, he talks of the heartbreaking memory of his mother and father splitting when he was only 18 months old however says that he experienced “only love.”

The excerpt reads: “My mum and dad got together in 1970. They met on Brighton beach, which is where my father, David, picked up a nickname that stayed with him for life: Pebbles. Chrissie, my mother, has a deeply artistic streak, and she formed a connection with this free-spirited young man of (supposed) Scottish descent.

“His background was always a little vague; though it was a fact that he had lived in a squat on the Strand in central London. When police came to evict the illegal dwellers, a photograph of my dad in the heart of the drama made the front page of The Times. According to family folklore, this was the reason his strict military parents had disowned him.”

In an emotive section of the book previewed to the Scottish Express, the Outlander hunk opened up on how his parents’ divorce likely affected him.

He said: “We’re shaped by so many influences as kids, but I was too young to remember the one that quite possibly had a formative impact on me.

“For when I was 18 months old, my dad left home and never came back. I have no recollection of this time. I don’t remember the shock he must have left behind, as well as the uncertainty, because for a long period his whereabouts was a mystery.”

He went on to praise his mother Chrissie, who he confirmed received the first printed and signed copy of his new book.

“As I grew up, and switched on to my surroundings and the people in it, I became aware that our mother did everything to create a family for my brother and me,” he added.

Sam Heughan promoting his new memoir ‘Waypoints’.(Image: Instagram/SamHeughan)

“Being five years older, Cirdan might have had a better understanding of why she sometimes seemed to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders.

“My Mum was very hurt by what had happened, and yet she responded to it by making every effort to raise her boys in a safe and loving environment.*

He also gave a further glimpse into his dad’s life when he revealed that he was a huge Lord of the Rings fan having named his brother after an “Elvish character from that epic fantasy odyssey,” and confesses he also got called ‘Samwise’ on occasion, though not officially, “thank God!,” he wrote.

He disclosed previously ahead of the book launch that he “tries to protect” his family as much as possible, and that life in the public eye “can be intrusive.”

Well one thing is for sure, Sam Heughan and Outlander fans will be spoilt for choice when they delve into the depths of Heughan’s life in his tell-all book which has sent people into a frenzy of excitement!