FOOTBALL legend John Barnes will be discussing his powerful book, The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism, at this year's Ilkley Literature Festival.

The former Liverpool and England footballer turned manager and sports commentator has been announced as the latest big name on the festival line-up.

Speaking at King’s Hall on Sunday, October 17, John Barnes will "tackle head-on issues around prejudice by vividly evoking his personal experiences, and holding a mirror to this country’s past, present and future".

After spending the first dozen years of his life in Jamaica, Mr Barnes moved to the UK with his family in 1975. Six years later he was a professional footballer, distinguishing himself for Watford, Liverpool and England, and in the process becoming the country’s most prominent black player.

Says a festival spokesman: "John Barnes is now an articulate and captivating social commentator on a broad range of issues, and in The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism he tackles head-on the issues surrounding prejudice with his trademark intelligence and authority.

"By vividly evoking his personal experiences, and holding a mirror to this country’s past, present and future, Barnes provides a powerful and moving testimony, helping to inform and advance the global conversation around society’s ongoing battle with the awful stain of prejudice."

Mr Barnes joins a roster of literary stars at the hybrid festival, which offers a mix of Covid-safe in-person events and digital events across 17 days from October 1 to 17.

Also appearing are former MP Ed Balls, journalist Sarfraz Manzoor, TV presenter Gyles Brandreth, Countdown star Susie Dent, comedian and actor Miles Jupp, poet Jackie Kay, Booker prize-winner Bernadine Evaristo, TV producer Lissa Evans, whose work includes Father Ted, Hannah Ross, discussing her book Revolutions: How Women Changed The World On Two Wheels Cycling UK, and Hepworth Gallery curator Eleanor Clayton who will celebrate the work of Barbara Hepworth, acknowledged as one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Founded in 1973, Ilkley Literature Festival is an annual go-to event for writers, readers and publishers. It attracts audiences of over 22,000 over its two-week run each October, alongside a year-round programme of workshops, projects and author events in schools.

The festival aims to bring literature and poetry of national and international significance to the widest audience and to showcase new work by writers.

* For tickets and more about the festival go to ilkleylitfest.org.uk