
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.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Record
17 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Meghan Markle admits hilarious reason why she 'almost didn't marry' Prince Harry in Netflix trailer
Meghan Markle has released the trailer for her upcoming second season of Netflix show With Love, Meghan and it seems there are plenty of royal confessions coming in the new show. Meghan Markle fans are delighted to have finally received a trailer for the second season of the duchess' Netflix show, With Love, Meghan. The 44-year-old's lifestyle and cooking series has shown a new side to the former Suits star as she has proven herself to be very talented in the kitchen. In the upcoming series, it looks as if we're going to get more of an inside look into the royal household as the trailer features Meghan revealing a little-known fact. Towards the end of the trailer, when the Duchess of Sussex is preparing lobster with chef José Andrés, she explains that husband Prince Harry is not a fan of the fancy crustacean, which is typically a pricey meal. She turns to the foodie expert and says "You know who doesn't like lobster? My husband." The chef is left stunned by her admission as he asks: 'And you married him?', leaving Meghan in fits of laughter in response. It's previously been reported that Royal Family members tend to avoid eating seafood, which may have influenced Prince Harry's dislike for lobster. Former royal butler Grant Harrold told the Daily Express in 2022: "When dining, the Royal Family has to be careful with shellfish due to shellfish poisoning due to their work schedules. "Therefore, you will not normally find this on the royal menu." The mum-of-two, who currently resides in Montecito with Harry and kids Archie and Lilibet, is set to welcome more celebrity pals into her kitchen in the second season of her Netflix show. Some of the famous faces who are expected to be getting their hands dirty alongside the duchess include Chrissy Teigen, Queer Eye star Tan France and author and podcaster, Jay Shetty, Cosmopolitan reports. With Love, Meghan is set to return for its second season on the streaming platform on August 26. Meghan announced the news on Instagram to her 4M Instagram followers on Wednesday evening as she dropped the new trailer and wrote: "The best moments are made to be shared. With Love, Meghan returns August 26th on Netflix." The show is just one programme amidst Harry and Meghan's lucrative deal with Netflix, which started in 2020. The Sussexes are also said to be gearing up to produce an on-screen adaptation of the best-selling novel Meet Me at the Lake by Carly Fortune. However, this has been known for quite some time and there is still no release date in sight. Harry and Meghan have also previously broadcasted their tell-all documentary Harry and Meghan, as well as their show Polo. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Commenting on the new slate of shows they have in the works, Meghan said: 'My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision." Bela Bajaria, Netflix's Chief Content Officer, said: 'Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere. The response to their work speaks for itself — Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series. 'More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As Ever line consistently selling out in record time. We're excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.'


Glasgow Times
17 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Ex-River City star signs up for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Stefan Dennis, better known as Paul Robinson from Australian soap Neighbours, will enter the famous ballroom when the show returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. On River City, Stefan played the evil Dr Marcus Mackenzie, eventually stabbed to death by a woman he tried to attack. He is married to fellow actor Gail Easdale, who is originally from Milngavie. Stefan Dennis played the evil Marcus in River City (Image: BBC) Stefan Dennis with Libby McArthur (Image: BBC) Stefan said: 'This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television. 'Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.' Stefan created the role of villain Paul Robinson for the first episode of Neighbours in 1985 and appeared in more than 6000 episodes during the 40 years that the show was on air. Prior to joining Neighbours, Stefan worked extensively on Australian television and in the UK he has also appeared in The Bill, Dream Team and Casualty.


The Guardian
18 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Second MasterChef contestant edited out of latest BBC series after request
Another MasterChef contestant has been edited out of the latest series after the controversy over the conduct of its sacked presenters, raising further questions about the BBC's decision to broadcast the show. Banijay, the production company behind the cooking contest, confirmed to the BBC that a second contestant had asked to be edited out of the programme. It comes two weeks after the Guardian revealed that Sarah Shafi had agreed to be removed from the show, having said that it should not be aired. She said after allegations were made against Gregg Wallace and John Torode, its broadcast would send the wrong message about the treatment of women and inappropriate behaviour by prominent figures. Wallace was dropped by the BBC after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations made against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised 'for any distress caused' but said the report cleared him of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. Torode was also dropped as a presenter after he said he was the subject of a substantiated complaint over the use of racist language, which he believes never happened. A spokesperson for Banijay said: 'One other contributor decided that given recent events they would like not to be included. We have of course accepted their wishes and edited them out of the show.' The series, which began airing last week, was filmed before Wallace and Torode were sacked. The BBC claimed it was 'the right thing' to broadcast it, for the amateur chefs that took part. It had already been forced to edit the programme to reduce the prominence of Wallace and Torode and remove Shafi's appearance. It has now been edited further to remove another contestant, who has asked not to be identified, according to the BBC. The BBC is facing fresh criticism on social media about its decision to broadcast the series amid speculation about whether it would continue if more contestants asked to be removed. In a statement last month, the BBC said: 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.'