Graham Norton and Sir Michael Palin join Henley Literary Festival line-up
Mr Cleese will discuss Fawlty Towers while Sir Michael will share insights into Venezuela at the event that will take place between October 3 and 12.
They will be joined by a host of familiar faces from TV, sports, children's literature, and crime writing.
John Cleese (Image: Henley Literary Festival)
Festival director Harriet Reed said: 'From the menopause, farming, and the impact of empire to much-loved sitcoms, record-breaking sports stars, and wonderful children's authors and illustrators, we are so excited to share our most eclectic line-up and yet."
Dame Mary Berry, who celebrated her 90th birthday in March, will be giving a talk, while Graham Norton, who previously delighted virtual audiences during lockdown, will be making his return to the festival.
Mary Berry (Image: Henley Literary Festival)
Professional dancer and Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse will be making her debut appearance at the festival.
Oti Mabuse (Image: Michael Wharley)
A host of stars familiar to younger audiences are also lined up, including Hugh Bonneville, who starred in Paddington, the UK's best-selling poet Donna Ashworth, award-winning author-illustrator Emily Gravett, and farmer Kaleb Cooper, who has risen to fame since appearing on Clarkson's Farm.
Kaleb Cooper (Image: Ellis O'Brien)
Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland, is returning to Henley with Empireworld, in conversation with Gary Younge.
Also on the roster is Lord Heseltine, returning to his old constituency to reflect on his life with Simon Walters of The Independent.
MENOLicious co-authors Mariella Frostrup and Belles Berry will be sharing food and health tips for anyone navigating midlife changes.
Gavin and Stacey star and local resident Joanna Page will discuss her autobiography Lush!, with her sitcom co-star Larry Lamb joining All Creatures Great and Small actor Carol Drinkwater.
For sports fans, England men's most capped rugby union player Ben Youngs will feature with his memoir, and Test Match Special favourite Phil Tufnell will deliver a timely look at the Ashes.
Ben Youngs (Image: Jack Margerison)
Thrillers dominate this year with an evening hosted by crime fiction enthusiast and Olympic icon Dame Katherine Grainger.
Death in Paradise and Marlow Murder Club creator Robert Thorogood will join Jeremy Vine, who will present his first crime novel Murder on Line One.
Jeremy Vine (Image: Toby Madden)
The festival will offer more than 120 events at venues across the town.
Previously announced speakers include Michael Morpurgo, Denise Lewis, Raymond Blanc, Mary Beard, Ben Okri, Joanna Lumley, Simon Armitage, and Cressida Cowell.
The full programme will be revealed early next month, with tickets on sale to Gold and Platinum Friends on July 4, Friends of the Festival on July 8, and general public on July 14.
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