First guests announced for next year's Books by the Beach - headliners include Jenny Eclair

The literary event will run at various venues from Friday April 24 to Sunday April 26.

Baroness Kate Fall, former Prime Minister David Cameron’s deputy Chief of Staff, is also appearing.

Scarborough-based Egyptologist Joann Fletcher makes a return to Books by the Beach.

“At Books by the Beach Jenny will be talking about her new book Inheritance and also her life in comedy and broadcasting,” said festival director Heather French.

“This is a festival must- see and perfect Christmas present,” she said.

Jenny will take to the stage at Scarborough Spa on Sunday April 26 at 7.30pm.

Jenny is the Sunday Times top 10 bestselling author of novels including Life, Death and Vanilla Slices.

She also wrote the Richard and Judy Book Club bestseller Moving and short story collection Listening In.

One of the UK’s most popular writer/performers, she was the first woman to win the Perrier Award and has many TV and radio credits to her name.

Baroness Fall was Deputy Chief of Staff to David Cameron from 2005 to 2016.

She was dubbed ‘the Gatekeeper’ for her role managing the flow of people, information and power to and from Downing Street.

Kate’s event will offer an insight into the day-to-day reality of a world few get to see. Her story is also a timely perspective on what it means to be a woman in a traditionally masculine world.

Kate will discuss how she combined her exacting role with a normal family life and also share the reshuffles, relationships and political scandals behind the most famous black door...

Prof Fletcher will be talking about the ing discovery of 30 wooden sarcophagi in the Valley of the Kings.

Born and raised in Barnsley, Joann is Scarborough-based and has lived here for 20 years.

She is professor at the University of York’s Department of Archaeology and an advisor to the museums of Harrogate, Barnsley and Wigan.

She also leads the Egypt Exploration Society’s Local Ambassador programme.

She is the author of nine books – including The Story of Egypt – and regularly appears on television, from BBC2’s Immortal Egypt with Joann Fletcher to the BAFTA-winning Mummifying Alan: Egypt’s Last Secret.

Her event at Scarborough Library last year was a sell-out success.

The full programme for Books by the Beach will be announced in the new year.

Tickets for Jenny Eclair are available from Friday November 29 at Spa box office on 01723 821888 or online at www.scarboroughspa.co.ukFestival gift vouchers are also on sale at the Stephen Joseph Theatre box office.