BE ROYALLY ENTERTAINED AT HENLEY
ONe of the UK’s leading book festivals returns next month both in person and online — with Sarah Ferguson, Alexandra Shulman and Sopranos star Stevie Van Zandt the latest additions to the starry line-up. henley Literary Festival, supported by the daily Mail, takes place from October 2-10 at venues across the picturesque Thames-side town, with around 40 of the 120 events also available to watch online. The duchess of york will discuss her Mills & Boon novel; Bruce Springsteen’s e Street Band member-turnedTV star Van Zandt makes his UK literary festival debut with his memoir Unrequited Infatuations; and former British Vogue editor Shulman joins designer Jenny Packham to talk fashion. They join a prog-ramme
including gyles Brandreth, doctors Alex george and Rachel Clarke, Nikesh Shukla, Archbishop of york Stephen Cottrell, Antonia Fraser and Max hastings, Jack dee and entrepreneur Stephanie Shirley. Novelists at the festival include elizabeth day, Jeffrey Archer, Monique Roffey, Jill Mansell, Rachel edwards, Alexander McCall Smith, Celia Walden, Nicci French, Kate Mosse and debut authors Sara Jafari, Naomi Ishiguro and Neema Shah.
From the world of entertainment, speakers include hayley Mills, Line Of duty creator Jed Mercurio, Mel giedroyc, Olivier-winner giles Terera, Ruth Jones, harry Potter star evanna Lynch and Sophie ellisBextor. Politicians past and present appearing at the festival include Michael heseltine, ed Balls, Vince Cable, Alan Johnson and William Waldegrave, while broadcasters in the line-up include John Simpson, Fi glover and Jane garvey, James O’Brien, Mariella Frostrup, Jon Sopel and Lorraine style expert Candice Brathwaite.
events for children include a special Carnival Of The Animals concert featuring Michael Morpurgo and cellist Clare O’Connell, The Rapping Princess with hannah Lee and Allen Fatimaharan, Joe Wicks, Stuart Lawrence, illustrator Rob Biddulph, Anisha, Accidental detective with Serena Patel, Clare Balding, Chris Riddell, elmer and a writing workshop with Katya Balen.
For the full programme and to book, visit henleyliteraryfestival. co.uk.