Three new speakers, Gyles Brandreth, David Walliams and Michael Ball have been added to this year’s stellar line up at the Henley Literary Festival. Tickets go on sale today.

Saturday 30th September, 4pm Baillie Gifford Marquee at Phyllis Court

£25 book and ticket /  £15 ticket only

From Westminster to the West End, jumpers to jokes, poetry to prison reform and Oscar Wilde to John Gielgud, Gyles has time and again proved himself the consummate author on a range of topics, leaving his readers and live audiences educated and thoroughly entertained. A friend and confidante of the Royal Family for over five decades, he returns to Henley as a new edition of Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, updated with material on the King’s coronation, is published. After previous biographies of Prince Philip, Charles and Camilla he turns his attention to our longest-serving monarch, who he first met aged 20 in 1968. His privileged access ensures that this is both a record of a tumultuous century of royal history and a truly intimate portrait of a remarkable woman. A real Festival favourite returns on our opening day

Saturday 7th October, 2pm Baillie Gifford Marquee at Phyllis Court

£10 per ticket – Age 7+

Prepare for a supercharged, one-hour spectacular with one of Britain’s favourite storytellers which will include hilarious performative readings and a chance to get 

YOUR questions answered live on stage. Fun for all the family – laughter guaranteed. Come dressed to impress to be in with a chance to win a star prize. A meet and greet will follow the show instead of a book signing.

Due to expected high demand tickets are limited to three per customer.

8pm, 8th October Baillie Gifford Marquee at Phyllis Court

£25 book and ticket /  £15 ticket only

Three decades ago Aspects of Love, changed everything for Michael. His first lead role saw him work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, Trevor Nunn and – briefly – Roger Moore, meet his long-term partner Cathy McGowan, battle stage fright and hit the charts for four months with his signature song Love Changes Everything. Returning to the show this year in the West End prompted the Olivier and Brit winner to reflect on his life with his first-ever memoir Different Aspects. And what a career! From the original Les Misérables, coming second in Eurovision and being the first musical theatre star to have their own prom to four No.1 albums, selling out shows solo and with Alfie Boe, presenting on Radio 2 and his novel The Empire. A true showstopper to close the Festival!

NB: Jeremy Bowen and David Olusoga & Yinka Olusoga have had to cancel their events so they will no longer be appearing at the festival this year.