Literature festival announces celebrity guests

Dame Judi Dench has been announced for this year's Cheltenham Literature Festival

Cheltenham Literature Festival has announced its 2024 line-up as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.

This year's programme features appearances from Dame Judi Dench, Sir Trevor McDonald, and Richard Ayoade.

The festival will run from 4 to 13 October, with more than 400 events taking place over 10 days.

The festival has also announced the arrival of new venues, including The Snug and The Hush, with tickets due to go on sale for members on Thursday 29 August before public booking opens on Thursday 5 September.

Among this year's fiction highlights are Richard Osman, who is returning to Cheltenham with the first book in his new series, We Solve Murders.

Richard Ayoade will speak about his new book, a quest to rescue Harauld Hughes – the mythical mid-century playwright – from obscurity.

Other stars from the world of entertainment involved this year include Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes, Rick Astley, Spice Girl Gerri Halliwell, and comedian Miranda Hart.

The current affairs programme will see Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince outline his outline his blueprint for the future of a green Britain, and Carol Vorderman discuss her transition from television star to political activist.

The BBC's first disinformation and social media correspondent, Marianna Spring, will discuss 'Among The Trolls', telling first-hand the stories of people caught up in online misinformation.

Pop star Rick Astley is among the celebrities coming to the 2024 festival

In the art and design field, art dealer Orlando Whitfield, illustrators Aimée de Jongh and Chris Mould, and designer Thomas Heatherwick will be among those discussing their crafts.

In lifestyle, Sir Trevor McDonald will talk about his lifelong love of cricket, and Prue Leith and Fern Britton will giving sessions on life advice.

The full line-up can be found on the festival's website.