Sport and TV Stars Join Leading Novelists at Henley Literary Festival

Lucy Worsley, Barry Norman, Katherine Grainger and Robert Harris are among the latest additions to the line-up for this autumn’s Henley Literary Festival.

Taking place at venues across the town from September 30th to October 6th, the festival welcomes back two of last year’s sell-out stars in Lucy Worsley, discussing her upcoming BBC series on murder, and the Countess of Carnarvon, with another tale from the real Downton Abbey. Maidenhead-based rower Katherine Grainger will be interviewed about her forthcoming autobiography, including her journey to winning gold at London 2012.

Much-loved presenter and film critic Barry Norman makes his Henley Literary Festival debut to discuss his memoir See You in the Morning, as does former Crimewatch host Nick Ross, back in the headlines recently with his forthright views on crime. And longtime BBC radio presenter Andy Kershaw looks back on a career that took him from Live Aid to Radio 3.

Just ahead of the publication of his new novel, best-selling author Robert Harris comes to the festival for the first time, as does his wife Gill Hornby, whose debut The Hive is already one of this year’s most-discussed novels. And Deborah Moggach returns with Heartbreak Hotel, in the wake of her book being turned into the hugely popular film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Two of the country’s funniest writers are also on the bill. Reginald Perrin creator David Nobbs reflects on his best-selling novels and career writing for the like of the Two Ronnies and Les Dawson. “I’ll be telling happy stories about working with great funny men and women, and sharing disasters of talking about my lucky life in far less lovely places than Henley,” said David. And comedian Miles Jupp explains how he bluffed his way into the cricket press corps on a tour of India. They join previously confirmed authors including Giles Coren, Max Hastings and Kate Humble, while Book Club Friday, Crime and Wine and the River Readings all return.

Tickets go on sale to Friends of the Festival on July 18th and on general sale on July 31st, including a live box office in Henley’s Market Place. For more information visit henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk or follow @HenleyLitFest on Twitter.