Strictly and Bake Off stars to appear at book festival

The annual Literary Horizons Book Festival has confirmed a star‑studded line‑up that includes the creators of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Life of Pi. The event, scheduled for 12‑14 October in Bath, will also feature presenters from Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off. Organisers say the mix of literary and television talent aims to draw new readers and boost festival attendance, underscoring the growing crossover between popular culture and the publishing world.

Key takeaways

  • Festival adds high‑profile TV personalities to attract broader, non‑traditional reading audiences.
  • Bridget Jones creator and Life of Pi author will headline the literary sessions.
  • The three‑day programme blends workshops, signings, and live‑cooking demos.
  • Attendance is expected to rise, reinforcing Bath’s reputation as a cultural hub.

Background

The Literary Horizons Book Festival, launched in 2015, has become a fixture on the UK cultural calendar. It traditionally showcases debut novelists, award‑winning authors and literary critics. This year, the organisers partnered with the Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off production teams to broaden its appeal, a strategy echoed in other events such as the recent surge in footfall after the solar eclipse, reported in the No surge in bookings but eclipse ‘boosts footfall’ article. The festival’s website lists the full schedule under the culture section, where readers can also explore past line‑ups.

What happened

On 2 October, the festival’s press office issued a statement confirming the participation of Helen Fielding, author of the Bridget Jones series, and Yann Martel, winner of the Booker Prize for Life of Pi. In addition, Strictly Come Dancing champion Oti Mabuse will host a dance‑themed storytelling workshop, while Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood will lead a “literary pastries” session, pairing classic novels with recipes. The announcement was covered by BBC News and cross‑posted on the portal’s home page, linking to Chronicle News for broader visibility.

Why it matters

Bringing television personalities into a literary festival signals a shift toward multimedia engagement, where readers are enticed by familiar faces from TV screens. This approach could inspire similar collaborations, as seen in the sports world where clubs like PSG aim for a “three‑peat” of trophies, a strategy discussed in the Can PSG do a three‑peat and win six trophies this season? piece. Moreover, the festival’s expanded programme may boost local tourism, supporting Bath’s economy during the autumn shoulder season.

What happens next

Ticket sales open on 5 October, with early‑bird discounts for the first 1,000 buyers. The festival will feature over 30 author talks, five live‑cooking demonstrations, and a charity dance‑off hosted by Oti Mabuse. Attendees can pre‑register for workshops via the festival app, which also offers real‑time updates and a map of venue locations. Organisers promise that all sessions will comply with current health guidelines, and a post‑event report will be published on the festival’s website and linked to the all articles archive for future reference.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the headline literary guests?

Helen Fielding, creator of Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi, will headline the festival’s literary sessions.

Will the TV personalities host separate events?

Yes, Oti Mabuse will lead a dance‑storytelling workshop, and Paul Hollywood will conduct a cooking‑and‑reading demonstration.

How can I purchase tickets?

Tickets go on sale on 5 October through the festival’s official website; early‑bird pricing is available for the first 1,000 purchases.

Bottom line

The Literary Horizons Book Festival’s inclusion of Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off stars aims to broaden its audience and reinforce Bath