Entertainment

Stephen Fry, Graham Norton and Sandi Toksvig join the line-up for Hay Festival

TV and music stars come together to celebrate the written word and share their biggest ideas.
TV and music stars come together to celebrate the written word and share their biggest ideas. TV and music stars come together to celebrate the written word and share their biggest ideas.

Stephen Fry, Graham Norton and Sandi Toksvig will take the stage to share their thoughts on the world’s bigger questions at this year’s Hay Festival.

The 30th annual event invites writers and thinkers from around the world to share their ideas and expertise on everything from science and technology to art and film.

The programme of 800 events also includes music shows from Brian May, Will Young and Amy MacDonald, and comedy from Eddie Izzard, Mark Watson, Marcus Brigstocke and Shappi Khorsandi.

Marcus joins the line-up of laughs.
Marcus joins the line-up of laughs.
Marcus joins the line-up of laughs (Ian West/PA)

The 10-day event in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, will see broadcaster Stephen share his philosophy on how to bring about a better world as part of the festival’s central 30 Reformations programme.

Graham, Sir Tony Robinson, Sheila Hancock, Ken Loach and new Great British Bake Off presenter Sandi will also lead conversation events.

Meanwhile, artist Tracy Emin and writer Germaine Greer will join discussions investigating the latest topics in art, technology, history and health.

Some lucky visitors to the festival, which runs from May 25-June 4 will be treated to a Letters Live event with surprise guests.

There will also be a range of activities aimed at families and younger visitors, including an appearance from acclaimed children’s author Jacqueline Wilson.

The festival’s director, Peter Florence, said: “For 30 years Hay Festival has brought readers and writers together to share stories and ideas, to imagine the world – to tell our truths and renew our lives.“We’ve seen the world move from paper to the digital realm, we’ve witnessed boundaries and languages shift, and vast migrations of people and money.“We love stories and we love to throw a party.”Tickets for Hay Festival will be available online from Thursday.