'I love Ilkley' says Gyles Brandreth ahead of appearance at town's literature festival
Thousands of people are expected to descend on Ilkley over the next two weeks in a series of events for the annual Literature Festival.
It is the oldest literary festival in the north of England - having first taken place 1973 - and brings together authors, poets, writers, historians and scientists from around the world.
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage opened the festival in the Yorkshire spa town on October 4.
Highlights this year include actor David Suchet, bake-off star Prue Leith, spin doctor Alastair Campell and poet and entertainer Gyles Brandreth. He spoke to Calendar ahead of his sell-out appearance.
[**For the full programme of events visit: Ilkley Literature Festival**](http://It is the oldest literary festival in the north of England - having first taken place 1973 - and brings together authors, poets, writers, historians and scientists from around the world.)