Wimbledon Bookfest headliners announced

The annual event is taking place from October 3-13 on Wimbledon Common and will feature talks, debates and workshops showcasing some big literary names.

Mariella Frostrup

Festival organisers said they are "delighted" to welcome poet laureate Simon Armitage and novelists John Lancaster, Michelle Paver, Tracy Chevalier, Robert Harris, Alexander McCall Smith and Man Booker Prize winner Ben Okri.

Adam Kay

Event director, Fiona Razvi said: "There will be a rare chance to hear from international bestseller Patricia Cornwall. Joanne Harris, author of Chocolat will discuss her new novel The Strawberry Thief at BookFest’s Opening Event held at the Merton Arts Space, Wimbledon Library.

Nadiya Hussain

"A packed Children’s programme features Harry Hill introducing his latest children’s novel Matt Millz Stands Up!, former SAS soldier turned author Chris Ryan, Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet author/illustrator team behind the hugely successful Supertato series.

Ben Okri

"Dame Jacqueline Wilson talks about her highly anticipated sequel to the Tracy Beaker series We are the Beaker Girls. Mr Gum creator Andy Stanton presents his new book The Paninis of

Pompeii whilst BookFest is thrilled to welcome festival favourite Chris Riddell once again."

Konnie Huq

Sports fans won’t want to miss England cricketer Sir Alastair Cook in conversation with John Inverdale and Brian Moore, hosting rugby stars Mark Evans and Ben Ryan.

TV personality and maths enthusiast Johnny Ball tells the history of the colourful personalities and remarkable discoveries that shaped mathematics and sets the audience some challenging maths questions.

Emily Maitlis

The Festival’s closing event will be Nadiya Hussain discussing her heartfelt memoir Finding My Voice.

Set on Wimbledon Common, close to Wimbledon Village, a specially commissioned Big Tent seating up to 550, an intimate William Morris themed marquee and The Robert Graves Gallery provide the focal point for the festival.