The brand new Torbay Literary Festival is being held at The Palace Theatre, Paignton between 10th-15th August 2026, and a whole raft of famous writers will be appearing including: Georgia Toffolo, Oscar Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland; superstar DJ Mike Pickering, and Christopher Biggins.

The line up also includes biographer Roger Lewis, satirist Craig Brown, Princess Margaret’s former lady-in waiting Lady Anne Glenconner and novelist Kathy Lette.

Festival Director, Ben Tisdall, said ‘There are barely any big literary events west of Bristol. Since the Ways with Words festival in Dartington and Cornwall’s Port Eliot festival both folded, I felt that the Southwest was crying out for something like this. I really hope in our inaugural festival that we can offer something for everyone. As well as big names like Paul Burrell, we have many free events, writers’ workshops and more focused panel discussions on the writing process. However, our aim is not just to entertain, but there is a serious focus on encouraging reading, which is in decline across all age-groups. I hear anecdotally that more than a third of children starting school try and swipe the first book they are shown, thinking it’s an ipad. We are also supporting the local charity Life Chance Trust, who help young people aged 16-25 with mentors to assist them at this crucial time of their lives. I have deliberately placed the festival during the school holidays as then people of all ages can attend. It’s also when Torbay is at it’s most beautiful and we hope to attract booklovers from all over the country and even abroad.’

‘We have names like ‘It Aint Half Hot Mum’s’ Melvyn Hayes and Helen Lederer from ‘Bottom’ and ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, who will be just pure laughs and fun. However, there are also some really special events such as Hunter Davies, the only person approved by Brian Epstein to write about the Beatles who as well as talking will show a never-before-seen ten-minute film of Paul, and Linda McCartney from his own archive. There are also plenty of local links such as the massive author Lesley Pearse and also (no relation) Sarah Pearse, a former Torquay Girls Grammar school pupil, whose recent trilogy of thrillers have already sold 1.5 million copies. Stephanie Austin heads up a selection of local novelists, some of whom are talking about things such as particularly inventive ways to kill off characters or why TV shows get forensics wrong. We are also running a series of ‘Open Mic’ sessions during the day in which anyone can come and read out their poetry or prose and hopefully get some informal feedback.’

‘I really hope local people will support this event, but that it also attracts new people to the Bay, who can enjoy all the other fantastic things to do here. I am particularly grateful to Maureen McAllister at the Palace Theatre, who could not have been more supportive, and I’m pleased to be doing something in Paignton. Matt Newbury of the Agatha Christie Festival has also been very encouraging, and I hope the two events will compliment each other, and we become more known as a destination for cultural events. Overall it’s already a massively exciting event and it will bring me great joy to see people reading books on our beaches they might have bought at the festival.’

Full details can be found at www.torbayliteraryfestival.co.uk

Tickets can be purchased from: https://www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk/

You can view the full programme by clicking on the image below…