Stars line up for literary festival

9:50pm Monday 4th August 2008

Former London mayor Ken Livingstone, comedienne Julie Walters and West End and TV star John Barrowman all feature in a varied and colourful line up at this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival, revealed by organisers.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott, actress and comedienne Dawn French and TV host Richard Madeley will also appear in a range of events in the Gloucestershire town from October 10 to 19.

With more than 450 writers and over 350 events, organisers have promised "an exhilarating 10-day celebration of the written word".

Journalist Kate Adie and author Ian Rankin are the guest directors at this year's festival, which centres around the theme of "family".

Novelist Jilly Cooper will take a "candid" look at sex on the page, novelist and journalist Will Self will discuss the final taboos in writing and artist Jack Vettriano will contemplate his work and influence on popular culture.

In a series of events tackling the challenges facing a modern family, chat show host Madeley will join writer Frank Furedi to look at the changing role of the father.

Walters returns to the festival to discuss her new autobiography and the highs and the lows of her life.

Star of sci-fi shows Doctor Who and Torchwood Barrowman will chat about the world of showbusiness. And Doctor Who and Torchwood fans will also be able to see the show's re-inventor, writer and director Russell T Davies.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Man Booker Prize the festival will host a series of Booker winners to premiere work on BBC Radio 4. John Banville, Penelope Lively, Ben Okri, DBC Pierre and Graham Swift will all take up the challenge.

As well as Mr Prescott and Mr Livingstone, more political talk will come from former leader of the Liberal Democrat party Menzies Campbell.

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