VIDEO PREVIEW: Nick Clegg among big names at Sheffield's Off The Shelf 2016 book festival

By The Newsroom
Published 6th Sep 2016, 08:14 BST
Updated 6th Sep 2016, 10:16 BST
Nick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The ShelfNick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The Shelf
Nick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The Shelf

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Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to reveal all about his role at the heart of the former coalition Government as a headline guest speaker at this year's Sheffield Off The Shelf book festival.

The 49-year-old Sheffield Hallam MP will kick start the festival when he talks about his new book Between the Extremes.

It gives a frank account of his experiences of politics, power and defeat.

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Now one of the largest literary festivals in the UK, attracting some of the best known names in literature and media to Sheffield, this year's 25th anniversary line-up includes celebrity chef Hugh Fernley Whittingstall, TV presenter and actor Tony Robinson, award winning journalist John Pilger, Labour's former home Secretary Alan Johnson, New Faces winner, singer and actress Patti Boulaye, artist, illustrator and hip-hop musician Kid Acne and best selling authors such as Nick Hornby,

There will be special events to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, 200 years since the birth of Charlotte Brontë and 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl.

The festival will also begin a new chapter in its own history,with both the University Of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University working together to support and evolve it, in association with Sheffield City Council and Lottery funded Arts Council England.

The Star is a gold sponsor along with The University of Sheffield Students Union and Open College of the Arts.

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Off The Shelf runs from October 8 to 29, with around 200 events at venues across the city and some major talks outside those dates.

Nick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The ShelfNick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The Shelf
Nick Clegg to speak at Sheffield's Off The Shelf

Sheffield Hallam University will help kick-start Off The Shelf with the Nick Clegg talk, in conversation with head of politics Dr Andy Price, at its Pennine Theatre on Friday, September 16.

He will outline his rise in the 2010 general election, through his tumultuous years as Deputy Prime Minister, to defeat in 2015, whilst also reflecting on the future of British politics.Dr Price said: "It should be a fascinating talk. The current political climate provides a really interesting backdrop to the conversation and it will be illuminating to get his insights, whilst also questioning him on his own time in Government."

Francesca Martinez, the comedian, actor and writer, is a guest curator and will host a day - Sunday, November 6 - with the theme, How to Create a Better World.