POINTLESS professor Richard Osman is to be among special guests at the legendary Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, organisers revealed today.

He will join Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Ann Cleeves, Mick Herron, Elly Griffiths and others at the annual event staged in Harrogate, which is returning after pandemic lockdown.

The festival, curated by Rebus author Ian Rankin, will take place from July 22 to 25 at the town’s Old Swan Hotel, and will be the first major literary event to take place physically following the Government’s anticipated lifting of restrictions in June.

Rankin, the Festival Programming Chair, has personally invited the authors to take part, covering a wide range of writing within the crime fiction genre.

Richard Osman has just published the second instalment in his record-breaking cosy crime caper The Thursday Murder Club series, while espionage expert Mick Herron is author of the highly acclaimed Slough House books.

Mystery maestro Elly Griffiths will talk about her latest Ruth Galloway whodunnit; Ann Cleeves is the writer behind Vera and Shetland, and Brummie Mark Billingham recently returned with his Tom Thorne prequel Cry Baby.

Val McDermid, pictured above and for many the ‘Queen of Crime’, has brought us Lindsay Gordon, Kate Brannigan, DCI Karen Pirie, and the bestselling Tony Hill and Carol Jordan series.

The festival will offer four days of talks and panels from crime writing royalty, such as the queens of domestic noir Clare Mackintosh and CL Taylor in conversation.

And the most exciting new voices, including Val McDermid’s highly anticipated New Blood panel, will be showcasing the most dynamic detective debuts.

“After a year of once-in-a-lifetime challenges, I couldn’t be more excited to stage this celebration of all things crime,” says Ian Rankin, pictured above.

“With the announcement of our special guests, the countdown is officially on to this year’s festival and I’m looking forward to unveiling what else we have in store.”

Weekend break packages will go on sale on Monday June 7. For further information, including how Harrogate International Festivals will deliver a safe Festival in line with the Government regulations at the time, visit the festival website.

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, adds: “The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is a lynchpin in the publishing calendar – an annual pilgrimage for crime fiction aficionados – and we are thrilled to reveal the first taste of this year’s unmissable programme.

“Harrogate International Festivals has long pioneered innovative and unique cultural experiences, and over the course of the past year we have shown great flexibility and creativity to continue with this mission.

“The team will, of course, carefully monitor developments to Government rules and regulations as we look forward to our return to the legendary Old Swan Hotel in July.”

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival forms part of the diverse year-round portfolio curated by the charitable organisation with the mission to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible.