Fern Britton among friends at festival
Journalists, rock stars, television presenters and historians will be among the famous names coming to the sixth annual Althorp Literary Festival in Northamptonshire.
Organisers for the event, which looks set to be the biggest yet, announced earlier this year that former spin doctor Alastair Campbell will appear to talk about his novel All in the Mind.
It has since been confirmed that presenter Fern Britton, who announced she would be leaving TV's breakfast show This Morning after 10 years, will also visit Althorp House for the festival in June – as well as her predecessor on the TV show, Richard Madeley.
Other top names include historian Simon Schama, former Northampton schoolgirl and popular children's author Anne Fine, and Rick Wakeman, former member of prog rock group Yes.
A spokesman for the festival said: "In June the Althorp Literary Festival will celebrate its sixth anniversary with a stellar cast of novelists, journalists, historians, rock stars and biographers.
"The festival is also delighted to announce two special events on Friday evening, Sandi Toksvig's acclaimed one-woman show and TV darling, Fern Britton, talking about her life and career.
"Leading the programme of events is journalist and political spin-doctor Alastair Campbell, and one half of daytime TV's favourite duo Richard Madeley, who looks at his relationship with his father.
"Rock legend Rick Wakeman and 1960s icon Pattie Boyd give their own unique insights into the world of rock 'n' roll."
Stanley Johnson, father of London Mayor Boris, will also come to the county to deliver an "hilarious retrospective" of his life.
Meanwhile author of the international bestseller Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Louis de Bernieres, will provide the finale to the festival, which will run from Friday, June 12 until Sunday, June 14.
The festival, which was initially set up by Caroline Spencer, is being sponsored by Sotherbys. Last year it was launched by celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson-Wright while tickets to hear broadcaster John Humphrys talk about his book In God We Trust completely sold out.
Tickets for this year's event are now available by calling Northampton 771107.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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