Taking place in September, the festival features talks and discussions on a wide range of topics and unites some of the country’s leading writers, artists and experts to provide their insight. The first three speakers were named in March as comedian Ruby Wax OBE, Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Steven Bartlett and the drag performer Bimini.
Festival organisers this week announced more of the guest speakers lined up, including barrister Rob Rinder, Countryfile presenter Matt Baker, chef Dame Prue Leith and the Leeds author Richard McCann. His best-selling 2005 book, Just A Boy, is an account of the murder of his mother at the hands of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe and the devastating impact this had on his own childhood.
Richard will join investigative journalist Louise Shorter, actress Gemma Whelan and others on a panel discussing the nation’s obsession with true crime. Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about his involvement, he said: “I’m not sure if excited is the word, I am quite humbled to be asked to be part of such a prestigious event with so many high-profile stars. To be invited to this – from someone who used to be ashamed of my past – just reinforces that it is not something to be ashamed of and I have a voice, so I am quite excited but I am humbled to add my voice to such an important discussion.
“I want to be able to share not only the impact of what happened to me in terms of Peter Sutcliffe all those years ago, not just the obsession the public seem to have, but the media and how they can often be very insensitive to the families and almost commoditise the victim’s families. I want to share that – and it’s not something I typically speak about.”
The festival is being organised by LeedsBID, working in partnership with Weightmans and The Hoot. It takes place at at Leeds Playhouse from Wednesday September 27 to Saturday September 30.
More speakers are still to be announced but further details can be found on the Leeds International Festival of Ideas website where tickets are also on sale. Here are 13 of the notable speakers who have been confirmed for the festival so far.
1. The Leeds International Festival of Ideas
The Leeds International Festival of Ideas will bring together some of the country’s leading writers, artists and experts. Photo: Simon Hulme
2. Steven Bartlett
Steven is the youngest investor of BBC show Dragon’s Den and currently hosts a popular podcast ‘The Diary of a CEO’. He has a particular focus on helping creators and innovators from disadvantaged schools and BAME communities. On September 27 at 7:30pm, Steven will be taking to the stage and sharing his thoughts on the "new generation of entrepreneurism". Photo: Leeds International Festival of Ideas
3. Will Young
Will Young is an award-winning performer, winner of Pop Idol 2002, author and presenter. In 2022, Will created a documentary following the death of his brother called Losing My Twin Rupert. He will be appearing on the panel discussing conversations around grief on September 30 at 7pm. Photo: Leeds International Festival of Ideas
4. Richard McCann
Richard McCann is a motivational speaker and author. He will be speaking on the current obsession with true crime on a panel on September 29 at 7pm. Photo: Simon Hulme
5. Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been a TV journalist for more than three decades and was awarded Network Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Journalism Awards last year. Krishnan has interviewed prime ministers and other world leaders and currently also hosts an award-winning podcast. He will be appearing on the panel to discuss "who does our political system benefit?" on September 30 at 2:30pm. Photo: Leeds International Festival of Ideas
6. Davina McCall
Alongside being one of the nation's most known TV presenters, hosting shows such as The Masked Singer, Davina is an advocate for raising awareness about menopause and has released two Channel 4 documentaries and a book called Menopausing. She will be on a panel speaking discussing "when will women's health be taken seriously?" on September 27 at 7pm. Photo: Leeds International Festival of Ideas