Paxman, Norton and Mills to appear at Guildford Book Festival

Jeremy Paxman, Graham Norton and Ella Mills are to appear at this year's Guildford Book Festival which will take place at venues across the town in October.

Leading the line-up of more than 50 events this year are broadcaster Paxman sharing his "long-awaited and candid memoir" A Life in Questions (William Collins); presenter and comedian Norton discussing his "darkly funny" debut novel, Holding (Hodder); chef Rick Stein; popular cookery writer and food blogger, Mills (née Woodward); and Formula 1 favourite Damon Hill, celebrating the 20th anniversary of winning the World Championship.

Among the bestselling fiction writers at the festival will be Robert Harris, Alison Weir, Anthony Horowitz, S J Parris, and Charles Cumming.

History is "hugely popular" at Guildford Book Festival, the organisers have said, and this year has "more on offer than ever before". Eminent historian John Julius Norwich, will discuss his new book, Four Princes (John Murray), the "colourful" story of Henry VIII and his European counterparts, while former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, will reveal the story of a lethal spy triangle in Bordeaux between 1942 and 1944.

This year’s Literary Lunch brings together biographer and writer, Anne Sebba, and prize-winning author Elizabeth Buchan, to talk about life-or-death decisions made by women in World War II, and its aftermath, while leading food writer William Sitwell reveals the "remarkable" story of Lord Woolton, minister for food, tasked with feeding the nation during the war.

Guildford Book Festival co-director Jane Beaton said: “We are delighted that so many authors have agreed to come to Guildford this year. Some, such as Graham Norton and Jeremy Paxman, are household names; others may be largely unknown but have extraordinary stories to tell.  Some have spoken at the festival before, while for others it’s their first ever festival. We look forward to welcoming them all and to nine days of outstanding conversation and entertainment.”

Fellow co-director Alex Andrews added: “I am greatly looking forward to welcoming some of the country’s best authors and illustrators to Guildford this year and believe we have something for every taste."

The festival will run between 9th and 16th October.