Biggest ever Cheltenham Literature Festival in 2008

With its signature blend of award winning writers, world-renowned thinkers and international star names 'The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2008' is a hotbed of debate and discussion with a unique regency style. In this year's literary line-up Man Booker Prize winners rub shoulders with the finest classically trained actors, whilst top class comedians appear alongside leading political figures.

We had our very first look at what may be in store at this year's Literature Festival at the Cheltenham Litertaure Festival 2008 sponsorship launch on Tuesday.

Festival Director Sarah Smyth introduced a programme which will this year explore the theme of family - how does the family shape who we are, how we see the world, how we live, how we read and how we write? She also hinted at some of this year's headlining acts who will be lead by Guest Directors Kate Adie and Ian Rankin.

Just a few of the names to welcome in October include Sir Roger Moore, Antony Sher and Rick Stein.

All names are very much still to be confirmed - but it looks like it will be the biggest festival yet. Full programme and booking will be available in early August so keep checking here for the latest news.

Film director and actor Richard Attenborough, hilarious Harry Hill the brilliant Maureen Lipman will be at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival

Full list of day by day events this year at the Cheltenham Literture Festival 2008...

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 1
Friday 10 October 2008
including: Frank Skinner, Tony Robinson and Cllive James

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 2
Saturday 11 October 2008
including: Julie Walters, Roger Moore, Ray Mears, Bruce Parry, Terry Jones, Ken Russell, Kate Aidie and Charlie Higson

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 3
Sunday 12 October 2008
including: Richard Attenborough, Joanna Lumley, Ian Fleming, Russell T Davies, Maureen Lipman, Alistair McGowan, Harry Hill, Tim Piggott-Smith, Sheila Hancock, Carla Lane and Roger McGough

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 4
Monday 12 October 2008
including: Jenny Eclair, Rick Stein, Terry Waite and James Caan (Dragon's Den)

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 5
Tuesday 13 October 2008
including: Michael Parkinson, Raymond Blanc, Ken Livingtone and Ruth Rendall

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 6
Wednesday 14 October 2008
including: Esther Rantzen, Janet Street-Porter, John Prescott and Elaine Paige

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 7
Thursday 15 October 2008
including: Jonathan Dimbleby, Fay Weldon, Francis Bacon, Mike Atherton, Marcus Trescothick and Dan Cruickshank

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 8
Friday 16 October 2008
including: Gloria Hunniford, Sandi Toksvig, Monty Don, Martin Bell, Will Self and Robert Fisk

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 9
Saturday 17 October 2008
including: Alan Carr, Neil Oliver, Jilly Cooper, Martin Bell, Stuart Maconie, Michael Rosen, Sue Perkins and Gerald Scarf

2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival - Day 10
Saturday 17 October 2008
including: Tont Curtis, Dawn French, Ian Rankin, Alexei Sayle and Darcy Bussell

Survival expert Ray Mears, the amazing Julie Walters and adventurer Bruce Parry will sharing their experiences at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival

Looking back at 2007

The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2007 enjoyed unprecedented success with over 87,000 tickets sold for the ten day event. Over 400 writers flocked to Cheltenham to take part in the biggest and most varied programme to date.

Everyday saw a host of literary stars take to the Cheltenham stage. The fantastic Armando Iannucci programmed an impressive opening weekend with surprise appearances from David Mitchell and Chris Morris offering a unique festival experience. Whilst the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse saw sell-out crowds enjoy Michael Palin, Ian Hislop and The Times Debate, and Helen Mirren added some star-studded glamour. Yann Martel, Ian McEwan and Robert Harris were just some of the literary legends to be seen.

Artistic Director Sarah Smyth was thrilled with the Festival's success;

"2007 has been a hugely successful year, with audience figures up by 10,000 since last year, and one of the largest number of authors we've ever welcomed to the Festival - greatly helped by our increased use of one of Britain's largest literature venues seating over 2,000 people. I'm especially delighted with the sheer range of events this year - from the substantial growth of our children's festival Book It! to our special Festival commissions, this year's Festival really did have something for everyone over ten packed days."

To receive a copy of the Cheltenham Festival pf Literature 2008 brochure by post just email your name and address to boxoffice@cheltenham.gov.uk

View our festival brochure online and book events by visiting our whats on page. Tickets can be booked online or over the phone by calling 0844 576 8970.

Tony Curtis, Darcy Bussell and Alexei Sayle will be at the 2008 Cheltenham Literature Festival

• Contact phone : Box Office: 0844 576 8970
• Also see : Cheltenham Literature Festival 2008 website

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