Alfie Deyes event rescheduled for ExCeL

Bonnier imprint Blink Publishing is to hold a six-hour event with Alfie Deyes at the ExCeL in London tomorrow (20th September) following the postponement of the YouTube star's book tour because of health and safety reasons.

Deyes was due to visit bookstores across the UK this month as part of the publicity for The Pointless Book, based on his YouTube channel PointlessBlog.

But after close to 8,000 people turned up at the first event at Waterstones Piccadilly, Blink decided to postpone the tour to review venues and the signing system.

Blink is still working on details for signings in the UK later this year, but has this weekend organised an event at the ExCeL.

Perminder Mann, m.d. of Blink, said: “I don’t think Alfie knew about the loyalty of his fans. There were a lot of disappointed fans [at the Waterstones Piccadilly signing].

“The reason for Saturday is that we wanted to give something back to the fans who couldn’t meet him.

“Anyone can turn up with books purchased anywhere. He will sign the first 1,500.”
The publisher is prepared for between 4,000 and 8,000 fans to turn up at the ExCeL, and has hired an outside event management team.

“This time, knowing what to expect, we have made sure the whole event is safe and secure,” Mann said.

“We want to make sure everyone comes there and gets what they want from it.”

In addition to the signing, Blink will play some of Deyes’ videos on a loop on big screens, and is “toying with the concept of having a live Twitter feed up as well”, said Mann.
The event at the ExCeL takes place from 12p.m. to 6p.m.