THE Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, which runs October 2-11, has announced its full line-up, featuring a diverse range of speakers and a spectacular programme of more than 500 events, with something to suit everyone’s tastes.

A number of best-selling fiction authors will be discussing their work including Bull Bryson, Audrey Niffenegger and JoJo Moyes and don’t miss Edinburgh Fringe sensation Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel.

Music highlights include Ronnie Wood charting his journey to superstardom,and Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the Pretenders talking about the inspiration behind her music.

Sports fans can listen to the reminiscences of F1’s Nigel Mansell, or take a revealing look at FIFA.

The festival will bid farewell to Downton Abbey with a celebration featuring creator Julian Fellows and several cast members. There will also be a panel featuring cast members from the bodice-ripping hit Poldark.

Check out the family fun programme featuring disgustingly entertaining talks from the illustrators for Horrible Science and Horrible Histories, the chance to join The Famous Five for the day and celebrating 70 years of Thomas the Tank Engine.

The theme of this year’s festival is Defining Moments, the pivotal occurrences that conclusively alter life as we know it, be they global, cultural, social or personal. The series of talks includes a Radio Times debate on the future of the BBC.

Baroness Gail Rebuck, chair of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival said: “We are passionate about curating unique events featuring imaginative and surprising pairings; unusual meetings between thinkers and writers that can only be found during the ten extraordinary days at Cheltenham.”

  • THE full festival line-up can be found at cheltenhamfestivals.com. Booking opens to members at 1pm on Wednesday, August 26 and to the general public at 1pm on Wednesday, September 2.