Wilson, Armitage and Ali headlining the 50th anniversary Ilkley Literature Festival

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, Simon Armitage and Monica Ali will be among the authors headlining the Ilkley Literature Festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary year in 2023. 

Launched in 1973 by the poet W H Auden, the north’s oldest literary festival will welcome a host of poets, novelists, biographers and journalists to the spa town this autumn, with 100 events held between 6th and 22nd October.

The 2023 festival programme, tickets to which will go on sale on 29th August, features themes such as State of the Nation, Explore Moor (experiencing the natural world) and Food for Thought. It will also re-create some of its inaugural events from 1973, including a Puffin Books Tea Party for children and their families, as well as a panel celebrating women’s writing with novelist Monica Ali, to mark the joint 50th anniversaries of Ilkley Literature Festival and feminist publisher Virago.

Headline acts will include the children’s author Wilson, who will be introducing her new book, The Best Sleepover in the World (Puffin). Meanwhile, presenter Clare Balding will discuss her new book exploring the world of dogs, while Helen Skelton will delve into her memoir covering the "Strictly" dance floor. 

Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi will talk of her self-discovery following her ADHD diagnosis, and presenter and broadcaster Melanie Sykes will share the challenges she has faced as a neurodiverse woman. In addition, Gyles Brandreth will offer a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth, while historian and BBC broadcaster Tom Holland will look at the Roman Empire and Tracy Borman will delve into Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I. 

Steve Richards will explore moments that shaped Britain and philosopher AC Grayling will address death, love, meaning and hope. Current affairs journalist Gavin Esler will talk about current affairs and Luke Harding will bring reportage from the frontline of Ukraine. Moreover, Tim Marshall will cover the space race and global politics, while Polly Toynbee will investigate her own family in a conversation about class.

Food columnist Grace Dent will also be at the event, alongside adventurer Ray Mears and Bob Cryer, while the fiction lineup will include James Naughtie, Stef Penney and Dan Jones 

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage will deliver a lyrical reading in an evening celebrating "the music of language". The festival’s poet in residence position, which has launched the careers of emerging poets in the north of England, this year features the poet and theatre artist Chris Singleton from Leeds, as well as Sheffield poet Freya Bantiff.

Erica Morris, director of the festival, said: “Running Ilkley Literature Festival is a little like inheriting a great estate, passed down by previous generations. It’s a big responsibility, and we’ve had to navigate the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. So, we’re proud to mark half a century, and carry on the vision and ambition that has always characterised this arts charity; we hope 2023 is true to the spirit that has animated the festival since 1973.”