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The Cheltenham Literature Festival returns from 9–18 October, bringing 10 days of books, big ideas and some very big names to town. This year’s festival promises more than 500 events, with a line-up that ranges from literary heavyweights and bestselling novelists to actors, broadcasters, comedians, politicians and cultural commentators. There’s also plenty for younger readers, with family events, school sessions and workshops running throughout the festival. Among the names appearing are Caitlin Moran, Mary Beard, Helen Fielding, Ian Rankin, Richard Osman, Robert Harris, Elif Shafak, Maggie O’Farrell, Michael Morpurgo, Simon Armitage, Mary Berry, Sandi Toksvig, Katherine Ryan, Russell T Davies, Lucy Worsley, David Olusoga and Meera Syal. There’s a strong showing from the worlds of television, comedy and music too, with appearances from Greg James, Fearne Cotton, Reece Shearsmith, Katherine Parkinson, Dave Rowntree and Craig Revel Horwood. The programme also makes room for some of the most interesting conversations happening beyond books. Expect politics, culture and current affairs alongside discussions about creativity, identity, history and the issues shaping life now. International voices feature prominently, with the festival continuing its theme of reading the world together. And, as ever, you don’t need a ticket for everything. Around 30 per cent of the programme is free, with drop-in events taking place across the Festival Village and around Cheltenham. The Snug, The Huddle and VOICEBOX will offer informal ways to get involved, while Times Radio will broadcast live from Times Square. For families, there are more than 70 events spanning books, animation, engineering, Aardman model making, football, fantasy and more. The Literature for Schools programme adds more than 50 author talks and careers events for pupils from reception to sixth form. The line-up in full: Alexei Sayle Andrew Child Andrew Davies Anneka Rice AP McCoy Ashley James Blake Morrison Boyd Hilton Caitlin Moran Cariad Lloyd Celia Imrie Charlie Higson Chris Woakes Craig Revel Horwood Dave Rowntree David Kynaston David Larbi David Olusoga David Szalay Deepika Chopra Elif Shafak Fearne Cotton Frank Cottrell-Boyce Frank Gardner Giles Yeo Greg James Greg Wise Gyles Brandreth Helen Fielding Helen Garner Hugo Rifkind Ian Botham Ian Hislop Ian Rankin Jack Edwards Jeffrey Archer Jill Dawson Joe Marler John Kampfner John Robins Julian Lloyd Webber Juliet Stevenson Justin Webb Katherine Parkinson Katherine Ryan Kathy Lette Lee Child Leigh Lawson Liz Earle Lucy Caldwell Lucy Porter Lucy Worsley Maggie Aderin Maggie O’Farrell Margaret Hodge Marina Hyde Mary Beard Mary Berry Mat Osman Matt Haig Meera Syal Mel Giedroyc Michael Morpurgo Michael Whitehall Nadia Murad Naomi Ishiguro Nigel Planer Philippa Perry Poorna Bell Prue Leith Rachel Parris Rachael Stirling Reece Shearsmith Richard Coles Richard Osman Robert Harris Robert Peston Russell T Davies Sajid Javid Samira Ahmed Sandi Toksvig Sarah Churchwell Sara Pascoe Sathnam Sanghera Sebastian Faulks Simon Armitage Susie Dent Tracy Borman Will Gompertz William Hague Yann Martel Guest curators: Candice Carty-Williams and Matt Arlidge. Family and young adult programme: Andy Day Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Harriet Muncaster Jodie Ounsley Katie Kirby Liz Pichon Maggie Aderin Michael Morpurgo Michael Rosen MC Grammar Nadia Shireen Rob Biddulph Russell Kane. You can find all the information here www.cheltenhamfestivals.org/festivals/literature-festival 
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Heather Delaney
4/9/2026 06:57:41 am
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