Book Now festival line-up revealed

6.44.22pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Sep 2007

Top broadcasters John Humphrys, Andrew Marr and Johnnie Walker will join a heavyweight line-up of authors for the 16th annual Book Now literature festival, opening in November.

The Richmond Council-run programme will this year feature 24 events in as many days. History will be a major theme with Tracy Borman opening the festival at Marble Hill House on Saturday, 3 November, with a talk on her biography of Henrietta Howard, mistress of King George II. David Starkey will supply the festival finale when he brings the monarchy to life in the regal surroundings of Hampton Court Palace on November 27. In between, a Booker Prize winner, children's authors and celebrated writers will appear at a variety of venues across the borough.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure, said: "We have an excellent programme this year and I urge people to act fast and book tickets as there will be huge demand. The festival has an excellent reputation and I'm sure this year's array of stars from TV and radio, plus leading historians and award-winning authors will enhance it even further."