Comedian and TV presenter Frank Skinner is among a hundred top personalities, historians, broadcasters, actors and politicians announced today (July 22) for the Gloucester History Festival 2025.
The star of Baddiel & Skinner, Room 101 and the England football anthem Three Lions will reveal his fascination with Britain’s rich heritage and share his passion for the past with audiences at Gloucester’s iconic Blackfriars Priory in September.
Also appearing is one of the nation’s best-loved film and theatre stars, Celia Imrie. From Calendar Girls and The Thursday Murder Club to her newest historical novel set in wartime London, she’ll be talking about her career as an actress and author.
Other highlights include Digging for Britain presenter Professor Alice Roberts, former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine and Horrible Histories guru Greg Jenner.
A House Through Time host David Olusoga will reveal the overlooked stories in Britain’s past, the BBC’s chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet discusses Afghanistan and TV historian Tessa Dunlop interviews Bletchley Park code-breaker Ruth Bourne.
In total, 53 events are taking place from Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 21.
Tickets for the History Festival’s Blackfriars Talks go on general sale on Friday (July 25), with topics ranging from the Bayeux Tapestry, Magna Carta and the English Civil War to famous magicians, the legacy of Malcolm X and the lives of both Margaret Thatcher and Harold Wilson.
Professor Janina Ramirez, Festival president, said: “I can’t believe this is our 15th History Festival and I’m thrilled to introduce our most exciting programme of events yet. The Festival never fails to surprise me, I always leave inspired, and I hope you enjoy this special year as much as I do.”
Tickets for all History Festival events go on general sale at 10am on Friday, July 25 and are available online from gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk, by phone on 07834 406228 and in person from the Festival Box Office at the Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester GL1 1HP.
Punchline-Gloucester.com is a proud sponsor of Gloucester History Festival.
