Miriam Margolyes, Jeremy Corbyn, and Sara Pascoe on Bradford Lit Festival line-up

BIG names like Miriam Margolyes OBE, Shaparak Khorsandi, Corrine Bailey Rae, Dame Mary Beard, and Ruby Wax OBE are on the line-up for Bradford Literature Festival this summer.

Covering anything from faith and music to history and books, the annual festival will bring 500 events to the city between June 28 and July 7.

A number of events across the jam-packed calendar have already sold out - including a conversation with award-winning poet Lemn Sissay, walking tour of historic crime scenes, and baby yoga.

But people can still grab tickets for a number of inspiring debates, talks, and exhibitions - whether it’s listening to Bradford’s own Saima Mir talk about her latest novel or Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey on poetry.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey will be discussing poetry (Image: PA)

Award-winning comedian Sara Pascoe - of LadsLadsLads, Live at the Apollo and The Great British Sewing Bee - will be chatting with Kasim Ali about her debut novel, Weirdo.

A ‘Life in the League’ - hosted by Bradford Bulls’ Ian Stafford - will give you an opportunity to delve into the lives and experiences of two esteemed rugby league figures, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Ikram Butt.

Rugby legend Ikram Butt (Image: Archive)

Labelled the UK’s favourite vicar, Kate Bottley, returns to Bradford to share some life lessons and speak about her latest book, Have A Little Faith,

There will also be plenty of chances to dive into issues affecting people across the UK and the world through faith walks, history talks, and debates.

Miriam Margolyes OBE, pictured, will be talking about her memoir, Oh Miriam! (Image: PA)

Matthew Teller, known for writing about Palestine and the wider Middle East, will be leading an event called ‘Jerusalem through the Ages’.

An examination of the legacies of the British Mandate in Palestine will carefully look back at the past while the future of what is next for Israel and Palestine will be discussed at City Hall.

Meanwhile, a conversation will ask if the United Nations is still fit for purpose when it comes to international relations, human rights, and global governance.

You can also discover the cultural history and lasting impact of Bradford’s Jewish community in a tour of Manningham, an area that was once home to the city’s thriving Jewish Quarter.

Stand-up poet, author and Radio 4 regular, Kate Fox, will be doing a special performance of the poetry collection, Bigger on the Inside.

Comedian Shaparak Khorsandi (Image: Archive)

A Mushaira - traditionally a forum for poets to share their work - will be diving into the rich cultural heritage and mesmerising poetry of the Urdu language.

You can also party with the next generation of Zabava dancers and musicians - who are local Romani and Traveller artists.

You can join award-winning and internationally acclaimed artist and photographer, Ian Beesley, as he shares photographs of industrial Bradford captured over 45 years.

Brontë enthusiast, Christa Ackroyd, will be leading a historical journey by vintage coach to Thornton village.

For more information visit www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/events