Another big name has been added to the list of authors heading to this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Louise Minchin, the former host of BBC Breakfast and numerous other TV roles, has just published her first novel, Isolation Island, which she will be promoting at the event, which runs from October 3 to 6, at Northwood House.

She will join fellow celebrities Clare Balding, Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth at the festival. Former cabinet minister Lord Norman Fowler, Gen Sir Michael Jackson, historian Tracy Borman and TV and radio presenter Martin Sixsmith are also in the line-up.

Louise has written two non-fiction books (Dare to Tri and Fearless). In Isolation Island she draws on her inside knowledge on reality shows such as I’m A Celebrity to devise a show with a universally recognisable set-up, but where real darkness lurks behind the gloss of primetime entertainment. The book takes place on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, where ten celebrities arrive to take part in the most gruelling – and lucrative – reality survival show ever.

Festival chairman, Maggie Ankers, said: “It is wonderful to have Louise joining our 2024 line up. She is a multi-faceted person and will bring something special to our
programme.”

This year’s festival will also feature an expanded schools’ programme, a new jazz event and the return of the popular Fizz Quiz at the Island Sailing Club.
Tickets are due to go on sale next month.