Dame Joanna Lumley and Tulisa Contostavlos are among the notable personalities slated to appear at this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival.
The event, inaugurated in 1949 and considered the world’s oldest literature festival, will host a series of talks and discussions featuring authors, journalists, and prominent figures.
Over 400 events are scheduled between October 10-19, including presentations by Graham Norton, Katie Piper, Sir Michael Palin, and BBC Director-General Tim Davie.
Dame Joanna, renowned for her role in Absolutely Fabulous, will be interviewed about her upcoming book, while Contostavlos, recognized for her work on The X Factor and with N-Dubz, will discuss “Judgement,” her new book chronicling the highlights and challenges of her career.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction, celebrated children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson, and Ian McEwan, author of “Atonement,” are also scheduled to participate.
Numerous television and film stars, including Richard Curtis, creator of “Love Actually,” and Gavin and Stacey actors Joanna Page and Larry Lamb, will converge in Cheltenham over the ten-day event. Lamb will also appear alongside his son, George, to present his debut novel, “All Wrapped Up.”
Some of the discussions will delve into social issues, with Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens, alongside writers Laura Bates and James Bloodworth, exploring the question of whether masculinity is in crisis.
Other announced participants include food writer Nigel Slater, former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Nick Clegg, wildlife photographer Hamza Yassin, Olympic gold medalist Sir Bradley Wiggins, and French chef Raymond Blanc.
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