ANOTHER big name has been added to the list of authors heading to this year’s Isle of Wight Literary Festival.

Former TV breakfast host Louise Minchin has just published her first novel, Isolation Island, which she will be promoting at the Isle of Wight event, at Northwood House, Cowes, running from October 3-6.

The bubbly ex-BBC Breakfast anchor will join fellow celebrities Clare Balding, Susie Dent and Gyles Brandreth at the festival.

Former Cabinet minister, Lord Norman Fowler, together with Gen Sir Michael Jackson, historian Tracy Borman and TV and radio presenter, Martin Sixsmith, are also in the line-up.

Louise is known for her time on the sofa of BBC Breakfast, as well as numerous other TV roles and for her two non-fiction books, entitled Dare to Tri and Fearless.

She was chair of the Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 and says she is "so passionate" about her characters, in her debut into the thriller-writing world.

In Isolation Island, Louise draws on her inside knowledge of appearing on reality shows, such as I’m A Celebrity, to devise a show with a universally recognisable set-up — but where real darkness lurks behind the gloss of prime time entertainment.

The book takes place on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, where ten celebrities arrive in the depths of winter to take part in the most gruelling — but lucrative — reality survival show ever devised.

Chair of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival, Maggie Ankers, said: “It is wonderful to have Louise joining our 2024 line up. She is a multi-faceted person who will bring something special to our programme.”

The 'Lit Feast' strand of culinary treats returns, with TV wine expert Helen McGinn, making a welcome return to Northwood House.

This year’s festival will also feature an expanded schools’ programme, a new jazz event and the return of the popular Fizz Quiz at the Island Sailing Club.

Tickets are due to go on sale next month.