Gavin & Stacey and EastEnders actor Larry Lamb to speak at first Ipswich Book Festival

EastEnders and Gavin & Stacey actor Larry Lamb is set to speak at a new book festival in Ipswich later this year.

Ipswich Book Festival aims to ‘bring literature to life’ across multiple venues in the town between October 3 and 5.

The event was founded by four business owners: Andrew Marsh, who runs Dial Lane Books, Tony Felgate, Emma Lightfoot, director of Orwell Lady, and Cathy Frost.

The team wants to offer a diverse range of speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and community-driven storytelling.

Actor Larry Lamb, best known as Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey and Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, has been announced as the first headline speaker.

More will be announced in due course, with tickets set to go on sale in July.

Ipswich Book Festival Community Interest Company (CIC) hoped the event would celebrate the town’s ‘rich literary and cultural heritage while fostering a love of storytelling for all’.

“Books have the power to change lives, transport us to new worlds and ignite the imagination – something the festival’s founders are passionate about sharing with the community,” it said.

The festival has also been supported by five patrons: Ashley Hickson-Lovence, winner of the East Anglian Book of the Year 2024 with Wild East, Frances Quinn, Matson Taylor, Thomas Taylor, and Eva Verde.

The festival is currently seeking sponsors across three tiers, bronze (£150), silver (£300) and gold (£500).

It is also looking for volunteers to work the event.

Anyone looking to get involved should contact hello@ipswichbookfestival.co.uk.