Chuck Lorre thought Scientology could heal his dying father.

The Big Bang Theory creator, who is also responsible for the likes of Mike and Molly and Two And A Half Men, spent a decade in the controversial church, having first been invited to an event when he was struggling as a young musician.

As revealed in his new book Sitcom, Lorre signed a Sea Org contract for one billion years, and spent 10 years as a Scientologist during a period where his dad was dying.

He admitted: "I actually thought I could heal him with Scientology."

The TV producer contracted severe ulcerative colitis, but even as his own health got worse, he had faith.

He recalled thinking: "No worries, Scientology would heal me."

Lorre and his then-wife Paula, who he was from 1979 to 1992, eventually made the decision to quit the church.

They were quickly excommunicated by their friends still within Scientology, but the church itself didn't try to keep them on board.

Lorre wrote: "The church is known to chase members who leave, imploring and/or threatening them to return.

"Turns out this is only true if the departing thetans have any money. We were so broke, no one noticed we were gone."

According to Scientology, thetan refers to the immortal spiritual being or self, which is the true identity of someone, separate from their body and mind.

Lorre admitted he was embarrassed by his time with the church, which led to him keeping his past a secret until now.

He explained: "It was always a great source of embarrassment to me. I burned a decade of my life up in that thing.

"I can wallow in regret, but I've chosen to recognize that even that was a step that had to be taken to get to where I am."

Meanwhile, former King of Queens actress Leah Remini is among the Church of Scientology's most prominent public critics.

The 56-year-old star has become best known in recent years for her criticism of the church, which she alleged made threats to her life.

Remini joined the group aged 13 when her mother became a member, and described the organisation's control over every aspect of her life in a candid interview about the impact it has had on her and her family's lives.

She previously told Us Weekly: They've (used) a Scientology term that means to kill me (and) basically to erase me from the face of the earth.

"When you talk to a lawyer, they say, 'It's going to cost you more to defend yourself than to pay them off.'

"And Scientology knows that."

A representative for the Church told the outlet: "All allegations of harassment, break-ins and other salacious alleged conduct are false."