
Joanna Lumley and Tulisa confirmed for Cheltenham Literature Festival 2025
In October, The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival will host more than 400 events in a programme that includes conversations with chat show host Graham Norton, activist and TV star Katie Piper, actor Sir Michael Palin, and BBC director-general Tim Davie.
Dame Joanna Lumley appears in the latest series of Netflix show Wednesday (James Manning/PA)
At the 10-day event, Absolutely Fabulous actress Dame Joanna, 79, will be interviewed by broadcaster Emma Freud about her forthcoming book, My Book Of Treasures: A Collection Of Favourite Writings, which is comprised of her favourite writings, thoughts and quotes, as written in her private notebooks.
The veteran TV star, who appears in the latest series of Tim Burton's Netflix show Wednesday, has written a number of books, including 2011's Absolutely: A Memoir, which contains anecdotes from across her personal life and career.
Contostavlos, of N-Dubz fame, will talk about her new book, Judgement, which details the highs and lows of her music career, including her collapsed drugs trial in 2014.
The 37-year-old was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs in 2013, but the charges were later dismissed after prosecution witness, 'Fake Sheikh' journalist Mazher Mahmood, was found guilty of tampering with evidence in the trial.
Following the collapse of the trial Contostavlos said 'I have never dealt drugs and never been involved in taking or dealing cocaine' in a statement where she also accused Mahmood of a 'horrific and disgusting entrapment'.
This year's fiction programme includes talks with Women's Prize for Fiction winner Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Atonement author Ian McEwan, children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Kate Mosse, who will discuss the 20th anniversary of her historical fiction novel Labyrinth.
In a talk with screenwriter Edward Docx, novelist Mick Herron will discuss Clown Town, the latest book in his Slough House series, which inspired the TV show Slow Horses, featuring Oscar-winning actor Sir Gary Oldman.
Numerous stars from across the TV and film industry will gather for the festival, including Love Actually creator Richard Curtis, who will interview writer and comedian Ben Elton about his new autobiography and experience creating BBC sitcom Upstart Crow and writing for The Young Ones and Blackadder.
Elsewhere, game show host Richard Osman will discuss the fifth novel in his Thursday Murder Club series, the first of which has been adapted for a film starring Dame Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan.
Sharing moments from her new memoir Lush will be Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page, whose book charts her journey from a small Welsh village to one of Britain's biggest sitcoms.
Joanna Page's memoir is called Lush (Jordan Pettitt/PA)
In a separate event, her co-star Larry Lamb will present his debut novel All Wrapped Up, with his son and TV presenter George Lamb.
Some of the talks will look at and dissect social issues, with Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens questioning if masculinity is in crisis alongside writers Laura Bates and James Bloodworth.
There will also be a live recording of Jane Garvey and Fi Glover's Times Radio show where they will be joined by model Penny Lancaster to discuss her forthcoming memoir, Someone Like Me, where she opens up about navigating fame and life with her husband Sir Rod Stewart.
Among the other events is a talk with food writer Nigel Slater, who shares A Thousand Feasts, a memoir with anecdotes taken from his own notebooks.
Former deputy prime minister Sir Nick Clegg, French chef Raymond Blanc, Olympic gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins, wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin, World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee and professor of genetics Dr Tim Spector are among the other public figures scheduled to appear.
The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival will take place from October 10-19.
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Daily Mirror
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club sees Harry Potter star in huge role
Netflix is bringing Richard Osman's book, The Thursday Murder Club, to screens with a film adaptation that promises to be a hit. The director is known for his work on Harry Potter. Netflix has gone all out for the film adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling novel, The Thursday Murder Club – packed with a killer cast and a well-known director behind the camera. Set in the picturesque Coopers Chase retirement village in Kent, the story follows four sharp-minded pensioners who meet weekly to pore over unsolved crimes. But when a real-life murder falls into their laps, they swap coffees and chit chat for sleuthing. Behind the camera is Chris Columbus, the director behind the first two Harry Potter films, Mrs Doubtfire and Home Alone. His time on the Potter franchise gave him a deep affection for Britain and its quirky humour. 'During Potter, I spent five years living in the UK,' he says. 'I grew quite fond of the dark, edgy British humour and I managed to incorporate some of that into those films and much more of it into The Thursday Murder Club .' Finding a writer to adapt Richard Osman 's work was tricky. 'I was a fan of the books, but the initial scripts I read veered far from the novel,' Chris says. 'I felt this was a mistake and I wanted to preserve what everyone loved about the book.' Enter actress and comedian Katy Brand. Chris says, 'When I met with Katy, I was convinced she not only understood what made the novel so popular, but she also had the vision to write a film that was faithful to the source material.' Leading the charge in the line-up is Helen Mirren as Elizabeth Best. Throughout her career, Helen has played everything from steely assassins to Queen Elizabeth II. Now, she's playing a woman with a past shrouded in secrecy. 'We can tell she was someone powerful and substantial, but it's all a bit secret,' Helen says. 'Was she a high level politician? Was she a high level operative in MI5 or MI6? She never quite talks about it, but we get a sense. She's tough, she's smart and she has witnessed some heavy duty things.' Joining her is Pierce Brosnan, best known for donning James Bond 's tuxedos. He trades spying for laughs to play Ron Ritchie. 'Ron is a stout fellow of good character,' Pierce says. 'He doesn't particularly want to be at Coopers Chase, but there's a time in life when you just have to hang up your spurs.' Ron's good friend Ibrahim Arif (Ben Kingsley) is a psychiatrist whose skills prove invaluable to the club's investigations. 'He's clearly empathetic because he's a psychiatrist and he needs to interpret patterns of human behaviour in order to heal,' Ben says. 'Now he can bring those same skills to a forensic quest to solve unsolved police cases through empathy, knowledge of patterns of human behaviour, compassion and imagination.' Elizabeth strikes up a bond with newcomer Joyce Meadowcroft, a recently widowed woman who's determined to fit in. Celia Imrie brings Joyce to life. 'Sir Laurence Olivier always said you've got to like the person you're playing – and I really did,' says Celia. 'Joyce has an innocence about her. She's unsure of herself but fun, enthusiastic and a good sport. At the beginning of the film she wants, very much, to be included and is especially keen to make new friends.' The four pals cross paths with PC Donna De Freitas, played by Naomi Ackie, a police officer they help unofficially – to the irritation of her superior. 'It was a really big pull for me to work with these juggernauts of British screen, who I've looked up to for a long time,' says Naomi. 'Having them consolidated into one project was really great. They are so gracious with their talent and it's been a real joy getting to know them.' The drama isn't confined to the murder mystery. David Tennant joins the mix as Ian Ventham, co-owner of Coopers Chase, whose redevelopment plans could force residents out. 'He's not the most sympathetic character,' David says. 'He's just someone who's got himself in a very particular situation and doesn't have the people skills to get through life with as much charm as one might hope he should have.' The love for the novels also runs deeply within the cast. 'I was one of the many millions who read the book and loved it,' says Helen. 'I was utterly charmed by it. My friends who read the book said, 'If they ever make a movie, you have to play Elizabeth.'' For Pierce, the project was a chance to collaborate with Chris again. 'He's s an old pal,' he says. 'He seems to come around every 10 years or so with wonderful jobs for me. He sent me the script and I loved it.' The Thursday Murder Club is released on Netflix on August 28th.


Scottish Sun
9 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Apprentice star ‘gives away' he's signed up for Strictly as celeb mates and pro dancers rush to congratulate him
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The Sun
9 minutes ago
- The Sun
Apprentice star ‘gives away' he's signed up for Strictly as celeb mates and pro dancers rush to congratulate him
TOM Skinner has 'revealed' he's signed up to this year's Strictly Come Dancing. The Apprentice legend is swapping the pressures of the boardroom for the glitz of the ballroom when the BBC show returns in September. 4 4 The TV star shared a cheeky video from a cafe and tucked into his "favourite breakfast" of pie, chips and veg. While delivering a rousing speech about taking care of yourself and working hard, fans noticed that Tom 's alphabet potatoes spelled the word 'Strictly'. Strictly Pro Kai Widdrington posted clapping hands in the comments. And ex-Towie star Ferne McCann said: "OH MY GOODNESS TOM! Strictly please no what an epic booking" Tom also dished out some words of wisdom in the clip: "Good Morning and happy Thursday you lovely lovely people! "I wanna wish you all a fantastic day and I'm starting mine the right way in the one and only Dinos Cafe. Keep on moving forward and don't look back. "Never take any criticism from anyone you wouldn't take advice from. "Today is gonna be a blinder. Just always believe in yourself and you know me, I never look when I pour the gravy because I'm the absolute guvna! "Sending love to you and your families. Bosh." Tom shot to fame on The Apprentice in 2019 and has made a name for himself on social media and TV, starring on MasterChef in 2020. He is also due to return to The Apprentice in the celebrity spin-off. The Sun also revealed earlier this year that Tom, 34, will return to his TV roots after joining the line-up of Celebrity Apprentice. And Tom has been getting into shape before his return to TV. He took to Instagram to share snaps showing off his huge arms in a series of gym selfies. He captioned his uploads back in May: 'Slow progress is better than no progress. 'Stay positive and don't give up. Train quietly and let your success be the noise.' WHO ELSE HAS SIGNED UP TO STRICTLY? Gladiators' Nitro, ex-Love Islander Dani Dyer, actress Alex Kingston and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were all named as having signed for the contest. On Tuesday EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, 47, and YouTuber George Clarke were revealed to have signed up. The BBC are expected to reveal the remaining contestants over the coming week.