Susie Dent and James Naughtie join judging panel for The Nero Gold Prize

“Countdown” star Susie Dent and BBC News special correspondent James Naughtie will join Bernardine Evaristo as part of the judging panel to select the inaugural winner of The Nero Gold Prize, Book of the Year.

The four category winners were announced in January and will compete to be the overall winner, receiving an additional £30,000 and the coveted Nero Gold Prize trophy. They include Children’s Fiction winner The Swifts by Beth Lincoln (Puffin), illustrated by Claire Powell; Debut Fiction winner Close to Home by Michael Magee (Hamish Hamilton); Fiction winner The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (Hamish Hamilton) and Non-Fiction winner Strong Female Character by Fern Brady (Brazen). 

The overall winner will be announced at a ceremony at HERE at The Outernet, central London, hosted by broadcast journalist Sarah Montague on Thursday 14th March 

Gerry Ford, founder and group c.e.o. of Caffè Nero commented: “This judging panel and much respected host for the inaugural year of the awards speaks to the fantastic support we’ve had so far from everyone across the industry in our first year.”