A TV and comedy star, a Man Booker Prize longlist nominee and a best-selling crime writer lead the line-up for 2018’s Liverpool Literary Festival.

The full list of figures from the world of literature have been unveiled as the three-day festival gets set to return this October.

‘Blackadder’ actor and ‘Time Team’ presenter, Sir Tony Robinson (pictured, left) will consider his life and work when a ‘Date with Tony Robinson’ takes place during the event, which is organised by the University of Liverpool.

Meanwhile Sally Rooney (pictured, right), whose second novel ‘Normal People’ has made the 2018 Man Booker Prize longlist, will feature among a new generation of writers being introduced to audiences by the university’s Chancellor and best-selling author, Colm Tóibín.

Sally will be joined by ‘The Glorious Heresies’ author, Lisa McInerney; and poet, novelist and musician Anthony Joseph.

Best-selling “tartan noir” crime writer, Val McDermid will deliver the Liverpool Literary Lecture, entitled ‘Killing People for Fun and Profit’, during the 19-21 October festival.

The festival, which is taking place at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum and the Tate Liverpool gallery, will also see the return of Frank Cottrell Boyce as well as appearances from writers including Emmeline Pankhurst biographer, Professor June Purvis; former NME writer Paul Du Noyer; the longest serving ‘Archers’ scriptwriter, Mary Cutler; and two shows from Carnegie Prize nominee, Anthony McGowan.

Helen Taylor, Liverpool Literary Festival’s director, says: “Liverpool Literary Festival really is special because it brings together the strengths of Liverpool’s unique culture and the University of Liverpool’s international academic and cultural networks, in a lively medley of debates, presentations and talks by major writers.”

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