LOOK WHO IS JOINING US IN 2025 ON

The Author’s Stage

YOUR HOST

Bryony Gordon

Bryony Gordon is a journalist, author, and mental health advocate. She writes a column for the Daily Mail and hosts The Life of Bryony podcast. Before that, she spent 23 years at The Telegraph, where she became one of its most beloved writers and hosted the Mad World podcast.

She’s the bestselling author of The Wrong Knickers and Mad Woman, as well as You Got This and Mad Girl, both Sunday Times Number One bestsellers and British Book Award nominees.

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YOUR HOST

Ryan Tubridy

Ryan Tubridy is an acclaimed Irish broadcaster, currently hosting the mid-morning show on Virgin Radio UK. Best known for his 14-year tenure as host of The Late Late Show, he’s also a bestselling author of four books, including JFK in Ireland and The First Christmas Jumper. A passionate advocate for literacy and charity, Ryan remains a beloved voice in Irish and UK media.

Adam Frost
Adam Frost
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Adele Parks
Adele Parks
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Ben Miller
Ben Miller
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Cecelia Ahern
Cecelia Ahern
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David Walliams
David Walliams
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Adam Frost

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Adam Frost has won seven gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show; is a television presenter for Gardeners' World; an RHS Ambassador; he established the Homebase Garden Academy; and has designed a garden for the NHS. Adam recognises plants and gardening improve his life, and his honest, no-nonsense approach to his wellbeing and male mental health are discussed in his tours. He has written about the link between health and gardening in Gardeners' World magazine.

Adele Parks

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Adele Parks MBE is one of the UK’s most prolific and beloved novelists, with 24 bestselling books to her name, including Just Between Us, One Last Secret, and the Sunday Times Number One hits Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck. Her work has sold over five million copies in English and has been translated into 31 languages worldwide.

Renowned for her gripping storytelling and psychological insight, Adele’s novels have earned her numerous accolades, including two Nielsen Bestseller Awards, the RNA Outstanding Achievement Award, the Capital Crime Fingerprint Award, and a Quick Read Learners’ Favourite Award. She was also shortlisted for the British Book Awards.

Adele has written for leading newspapers and magazines and served as Executive Producer on the Paramount adaptation of her novel The Image of You.

In recognition of her contribution to literature and literacy, she was awarded an MBE in 2022. A passionate advocate for reading, Adele is an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency.

Ben Miller

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Since penning his first children's book in 2018, Ben has become one of the UK's most beloved children's authors and was in the top 10 biggest bestselling Children’s Fiction Author list in both 2021 and 2022. His titles include Robin Hood Aged 10 ¾, Once Upon A Legend, The Day I Fell Into A Fairytale; How I Became a Dog Called Midnight; The Boy Who Made the World Disappear; The Night We Got Stuck in a Story; and the Christmas Elf Chronicles.

A much-loved, longstanding star of film, television and stage, Ben rose to fame as one half of the eponymous comedy duo behind the BAFTA winning The Armstrong and Miller Show (BBC) with Alexander Armstrong. Currently playing the title role in the hit ITV series Professor T, Ben is also known for his performances as Bough in the Johnny English feature films alongside Rowan Atkinson, the Colonel in the much-loved Paddington franchise, and Richard Poole in the hugely popular Death in Paradise (BBC).

Cecelia Ahern

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Cecelia Ahern is a multi-million-copy bestselling author whose emotionally rich and imaginative storytelling has captivated readers around the world. Her debut novel PS, I Love You was an instant international bestseller and became a major film starring Hilary Swank. Her second novel, Where Rainbows End, was adapted into the hit film Love, Rosie starring Lily Collins.

With over 25 million copies sold and books published in more than 50 countries and 37 languages, Cecelia’s work resonates deeply with readers, exploring themes of love, resilience, and the pressures of modern life.

Her acclaimed short story collection Roar was adapted into an Apple TV+ series featuring Nicole Kidman.

Ahern’s novels have earned numerous accolades, including the Irish Book Award for Popular Fiction. Born and raised in Dublin, she continues to write from her home city, where she lives with her family.

In 2025, she will be releasing Paper Heart, a poignant story of finding yourself – and finding your way home.

David Walliams

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David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel in 2008, The Boy in the Dress, David has seen unprecedented growth, with global sales exceeding 60 million copies across 55 languages. David’s books have spent 79 weeks at industry number one in the UK and 245 non-consecutive weeks at children’s number one. He has now published 43 books, across fiction and picture books, including two charity collaborations, The Queen’s Orang-utan for Comic Relief and Blob for World Book Day (2017).

His most recent book, The World’s Worst Superheroes, the 7th instalment in the World’s Worst series which published in May 2025, rocketed straight to children’s number one, holding the top spot for 2 weeks and selling 20,000 copies through TCM since publication. David’s first ever Christmas novel will follow in October 2025, and he will round out the year with a spectacular new picture book in collaboration with Adam Stower.

Dom Joly
Dom Joly
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Donna Ashworth
Donna Ashworth
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Dr Julie Smith
Dr Julie Smith
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Gillian McAllister
Gillian McAllister
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Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury
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Dom Joly

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Dom Joly is a multi-award-winning comedian, has been a columnist for the Independent, I and Metro, and is also an award-winning travel writer for the Sunday Times and the Mail On Sunday.

He was the star, producer and director of Trigger Happy TV (2000-2003), a hidden camera prank show that was broadcast in over 70 countries worldwide. He is also an ambassador for Save the Children.

Donna Ashworth

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Donna Ashworth is a Sunday Times bestselling author and the UK's no.1 bestselling poet.

Donna started her social media accounts in 2018 in a bid to create a 'safe' social space for women to come together and connect, but her love of words quickly became the focus, and a past love for poetry was reignited. Seven books and nearly 1.8 million followers later, Donna is delighted daily with her mission to shower the world with words and bring poetry back into focus.

Donna's bestselling books include Wild Hope, I Wish I Knew, and Love, Loss, Life. Her latest book, To the Women, is a celebration of the beauty, strength and joy of being a woman.

Dr Julie Smith

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Dr Julie Smith is the nation's favourite psychologist. An author, online educator and Clinical Psychologist, Julie has a combined following of almost nine million. She shot to fame with viral videos on social media, and her drive to create accessible, good quality mental health resources, that were rooted in her decade of experience as a Clinical Psychologist led to her writing Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? A publishing phenomenon, the book spent over 100 weeks in the UK Sunday Times bestseller charts with 23 of those at #1. Her latest book, Open When… shows you how to reframe life’s complex problem and return to a place of calm, strength and positivity.

Gillian McAllister

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Gillian McAllister is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of nine stand-alone novels. Her books have been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her previous novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time, was The Sunday Times Thriller of the Year, Waterstones Thriller of the Month and was shortlisted for The British Book Awards 2023 Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. Wrong Place Wrong Time has sold over a million copies worldwide, and Gillian’s novel Just Another Missing Person is being adapted for TV by Georgia Pritchett (Succession, Veep). Her just released thriller, Famous Last Words, is already a Sunday Times best-seller. Before becoming a writer, Gillian trained in law and worked as a solicitor.

Julia Bradbury

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Julia Bradbury is a beloved television presenter, author, nature advocate, and charity campaigner known for bringing her passion for the great outdoors to prime-time TV. She has fronted popular shows such as Britain’s Best Walks, Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury, and Wainwright’s Walks in the Lake District. Her television career began as a showbiz reporter in Los Angeles before returning to the UK to help launch Channel 5. She later became a key part of Countryfile on BBC1, as well as appearing on flagship shows like Top Gear and Watchdog.

She is also an accomplished author with several books on walking, nature, and well-being, including the 2023 Sunday Times bestseller Walk Yourself Happy, which explores how nature can help improve mental and physical health. Her sequel Hack Yourself Healthy will be hot off the press and available from September.

Born in Dublin and raised in Sheffield, Julia developed a love for walking through adventures with her father in the Peak District. This passion inspired her to co-found The Outdoor Guide and The Outdoor Guide Foundation with her sister Gina, promoting the joy and protection of green spaces while raising funds to donate waterproof kits to state primary schools.

Julia is a committed advocate for health and wellness, particularly after her 2021 breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery. Her documentary Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer & Me won widespread acclaim. She continues to champion breast cancer charities and campaigns for better research and diagnosis of conditions like endometriosis.

Rev. Richard Coles
Rev. Richard Coles
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Shaparak Khorsandi
Shaparak Khorsandi
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Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Chris Hoy
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Rev. Richard Coles

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The Reverand Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest. He co-presented Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 for a number of years and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You?   He has won Christmas MasterChef, Celebrity Mastermind twice, and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge in 2019.

A contestant on Strictly Come Dancing  (2017) and a third place finalist on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!  (2024) he exhibits huge bravery.

He writes regularly for the Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books, including a bestselling autobiography, Fathomless Riches, and the bereavement bestseller The Madness of Grief, written after the death of his partner, David Coles. The first three books in the Canon Clement series have all been No.1 Sunday Times bestsellers.

Shaparak Khorsandi

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Shaparak Khorsandi is one of the country's finest comedians, having launched herself back in 2006 with her sell out Edinburgh show, Asylum Speaker. Shaparak's career has taken her to all corners of the globe, she has appeared on countless TV & Radio shows including; Live At The Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You, QI, The Graham Norton Show and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. She is also the author of the bestselling childhood memoir, A Beginner's Guide To Acting English and Nina is Not OK.

Sir Chris Hoy

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Sir Chris Hoy is one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes, renowned for his achievements in track cycling. A six-time Olympic gold medallist and eleven-time world champion, Hoy dominated the velodrome in events such as the sprint, team sprint, and keirin. Born in Edinburgh in 1976, he began cycling competitively at a young age and quickly rose to prominence with his explosive power and relentless determination. Knighted in 2009 for his services to sport, Sir Chris has since become a bestselling author, broadcaster, and passionate advocate for youth sport and cycling safety.

In his deeply personal memoir, All That Matters, he shares the truth behind his cancer diagnosis and reflects on how he and his family are navigating life with hope and positivity. The book, a Sunday Times bestseller and shortlisted for the 2025 British Book Awards, offers inspiration and insight into finding strength through adversity.

This year, Sir Chris takes on a new challenge with the Tour de 4, cycling through all four UK nations in support of cancer charities, inspiring others with his message of strength, positivity and purpose on every stage of the ride.

Ben Miller
Adam Frost
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Adele Parks
Adele Parks
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Adam Frost

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Adam Frost has won seven gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show; is a television presenter for Gardeners' World; an RHS Ambassador; he established the Homebase Garden Academy; and has designed a garden for the NHS. Adam recognises plants and gardening improve his life, and his honest, no-nonsense approach to his wellbeing and male mental health are discussed in his tours. He has written about the link between health and gardening in Gardeners' World magazine

Adele Parks

CLOSE

Adele Parks MBE is one of the UK’s most prolific and beloved novelists, with 24 bestselling books to her name, including Just Between Us, One Last Secret, and the Sunday Times Number One hits Lies Lies Lies and Just My Luck. Her work has sold over five million copies in English and has been translated into 31 languages worldwide.

Renowned for her gripping storytelling and psychological insight, Adele’s novels have earned her numerous accolades, including two Nielsen Bestseller Awards, the RNA Outstanding Achievement Award, the Capital Crime Fingerprint Award, and a Quick Read Learners’ Favourite Award. She was also shortlisted for the British Book Awards.

Adele has written for leading newspapers and magazines and served as Executive Producer on the Paramount adaptation of her novel The Image of You.

In recognition of her contribution to literature and literacy, she was awarded an MBE in 2022. A passionate advocate for reading, Adele is an ambassador for the National Literacy Trust and the Reading Agency.

Ben Miller
Ben Miller
READ BIO
Cecelia Ahern
Cecelia Ahern
READ BIO

Ben Miller

CLOSE

Since penning his first children's book in 2018, Ben has become one of the UK's most beloved children's authors and was in the top 10 biggest bestselling Children’s Fiction Author list in both 2021 and 2022. His titles include Robin Hood Aged 10 ¾, Once Upon A Legend, The Day I Fell Into A Fairytale; How I Became a Dog Called Midnight; The Boy Who Made the World Disappear; The Night We Got Stuck in a Story; and the Christmas Elf Chronicles.

A much-loved, longstanding star of film, television and stage, Ben rose to fame as one half of the eponymous comedy duo behind the BAFTA winning The Armstrong and Miller Show (BBC) with Alexander Armstrong. Currently playing the title role in the hit ITV series Professor T, Ben is also known for his performances as Bough in the Johnny English feature films alongside Rowan Atkinson, the Colonel in the much-loved Paddington franchise, and Richard Poole in the hugely popular Death in Paradise (BBC).

Cecelia Ahern

CLOSE

Cecelia Ahern is a multi-million-copy bestselling author whose emotionally rich and imaginative storytelling has captivated readers around the world. Her debut novel PS, I Love You was an instant international bestseller and became a major film starring Hilary Swank. Her second novel, Where Rainbows End, was adapted into the hit film Love, Rosie starring Lily Collins.

With over 25 million copies sold and books published in more than 50 countries and 37 languages, Cecelia’s work resonates deeply with readers, exploring themes of love, resilience, and the pressures of modern life.

Her acclaimed short story collection Roar was adapted into an Apple TV+ series featuring Nicole Kidman.

Ahern’s novels have earned numerous accolades, including the Irish Book Award for Popular Fiction. Born and raised in Dublin, she continues to write from her home city, where she lives with her family.

In 2025, she will be releasing Paper Heart, a poignant story of finding yourself – and finding your way home.

David Walliams
David Walliams
READ BIO
Dom Joly
Dom Joly
READ BIO

David Walliams

CLOSE

David Walliams has revolutionised reading for children and become one of the most influential children’s writers today. Since the publication of his ground-breaking first novel in 2008, The Boy in the Dress, David has seen unprecedented growth, with global sales exceeding 60 million copies across 55 languages. David’s books have spent 79 weeks at industry number one in the UK and 245 non-consecutive weeks at children’s number one. He has now published 43 books, across fiction and picture books, including two charity collaborations, The Queen’s Orang-utan for Comic Relief and Blob for World Book Day (2017).

His most recent book, The World’s Worst Superheroes, the 7th instalment in the World’s Worst series which published in May 2025, rocketed straight to children’s number one, holding the top spot for 2 weeks and selling 20,000 copies through TCM since publication. David’s first ever Christmas novel will follow in October 2025, and he will round out the year with a spectacular new picture book in collaboration with Adam Stower.

Dom Joly

CLOSE

Dom Joly is a multi-award-winning comedian, has been a columnist for the Independent, I and Metro, and is also an award-winning travel writer for the Sunday Times and the Mail On Sunday.

He was the star, producer and director of Trigger Happy TV (2000-2003), a hidden camera prank show that was broadcast in over 70 countries worldwide. He is also an ambassador for Save the Children.

Donna Ashworth
Donna Ashworth
READ BIO
Dr Julie Smith
Dr Julie Smith
READ BIO

Donna Ashworth

CLOSE

Donna Ashworth is a Sunday Times bestselling author and the UK's no.1 bestselling poet.

Donna started her social media accounts in 2018 in a bid to create a 'safe' social space for women to come together and connect, but her love of words quickly became the focus, and a past love for poetry was reignited. Seven books and nearly 1.8 million followers later, Donna is delighted daily with her mission to shower the world with words and bring poetry back into focus.

Donna's bestselling books include Wild Hope, I Wish I Knew, and Love, Loss, Life. Her latest book, To the Women, is a celebration of the beauty, strength and joy of being a woman.

Dr Julie Smith

CLOSE

Dr Julie Smith is the nation's favourite psychologist. An author, online educator and Clinical Psychologist, Julie has a combined following of almost nine million. She shot to fame with viral videos on social media, and her drive to create accessible, good quality mental health resources, that were rooted in her decade of experience as a Clinical Psychologist led to her writing Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? A publishing phenomenon, the book spent over 100 weeks in the UK Sunday Times bestseller charts with 23 of those at #1. Her latest book, Open When… shows you how to reframe life’s complex problem and return to a place of calm, strength and positivity.

Gillian-McAllister
Gillian McAllister
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Gillian-McAllister.png
Julia Bradbury
READ BIO

Gillian McAllister

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Gillian McAllister is a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of nine stand-alone novels. Her books have been selected for the Radio 2 Book Club, Reese’s Book Club and the Richard & Judy Book Club. Her previous novel, Wrong Place Wrong Time, was The Sunday Times Thriller of the Year, Waterstones Thriller of the Month and was shortlisted for The British Book Awards 2023 Crime & Thriller Book of the Year. Wrong Place Wrong Time has sold over a million copies worldwide, and Gillian’s novel Just Another Missing Person is being adapted for TV by Georgia Pritchett (Succession, Veep). Her just released thriller, Famous Last Words, is already a Sunday Times and New York Times best-seller. Before becoming a writer, Gillian trained in law and worked as a solicitor.

Julia Bradbury

CLOSE

Julia Bradbury is a beloved television presenter, author, nature advocate, and charity campaigner known for bringing her passion for the great outdoors to prime-time TV. She has fronted popular shows such as Britain’s Best Walks, Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury, and Wainwright’s Walks in the Lake District. Her television career began as a showbiz reporter in Los Angeles before returning to the UK to help launch Channel 5. She later became a key part of Countryfile on BBC1, as well as appearing on flagship shows like Top Gear and Watchdog.

She is also an accomplished author with several books on walking, nature, and well-being, including the 2023 Sunday Times bestseller Walk Yourself Happy, which explores how nature can help improve mental and physical health. Her sequel Hack Yourself Healthy will be hot off the press and available from September.

Born in Dublin and raised in Sheffield, Julia developed a love for walking through adventures with her father in the Peak District. This passion inspired her to co-found The Outdoor Guide and The Outdoor Guide Foundation with her sister Gina, promoting the joy and protection of green spaces while raising funds to donate waterproof kits to state primary schools.

Julia is a committed advocate for health and wellness, particularly after her 2021 breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent recovery. Her documentary Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer & Me won widespread acclaim. She continues to champion breast cancer charities and campaigns for better research and diagnosis of conditions like endometriosis.

Rev. Richard Coles
Rev. Richard Coles
READ BIO
Rev. Richard Coles
Shaparak Khorsandi
READ BIO

Rev. Richard Coles

CLOSE

The Reverand Richard Coles is a writer, broadcaster and an Anglican priest. He co-presented Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4 for a number of years and appears, from time to time, on QI, Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You? He has won Christmas MasterChef, Celebrity Mastermind twice, and captained Leeds to victory in Christmas University Challenge in 2019.

A contestant on Strictly Come Dancing (2017) and a third place finalist on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2024) he exhibits huge bravery.

He writes regularly for the Sunday Times, and is the author of half a dozen books, including a bestselling autobiography, Fathomless Riches, and the bereavement bestseller The Madness of Grief, written after the death of his partner, David Coles. The first three books in the Canon Clement series have all been No.1 Sunday Times bestsellers.

Shaparak Khorsandi

CLOSE

Shaparak Khorsandi is one of the country's finest comedians, having launched herself back in 2006 with her sell out Edinburgh show, Asylum Speaker. Shaparak's career has taken her to all corners of the globe, she has appeared on countless TV & Radio shows including; Live At The Apollo, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You, QI, The Graham Norton Show and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. She is also the author of the bestselling childhood memoir, A Beginner's Guide To Acting English and Nina is Not OK.

Sir Chris Hoy
Sir Chris Hoy
READ BIO

Sir Chris Hoy

CLOSE

Sir Chris Hoy is one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes, renowned for his achievements in track cycling. A six-time Olympic gold medallist and eleven-time world champion, Hoy dominated the velodrome in events such as the sprint, team sprint, and keirin. Born in Edinburgh in 1976, he began cycling competitively at a young age and quickly rose to prominence with his explosive power and relentless determination. Knighted in 2009 for his services to sport, Sir Chris has since become a bestselling author, broadcaster, and passionate advocate for youth sport and cycling safety.

In his deeply personal memoir, All That Matters, he shares the truth behind his cancer diagnosis and reflects on how he and his family are navigating life with hope and positivity. The book, a Sunday Times bestseller and shortlisted for the 2025 British Book Awards, offers inspiration and insight into finding strength through adversity.

This year, Sir Chris takes on a new challenge with the Tour de 4, cycling through all four UK nations in support of cancer charities, inspiring others with his message of strength, positivity and purpose on every stage of the ride.

PROUD TO BE SUPPORTING UK CHILDREN’S CHARITIES