Literary talent ought to be in model Sophie Dahl's blood. Her maternal grandfather was popular children's author Roald Dahl. After publishing modern day fairytale story The Man With The Dancing Eyes in 2003 and the coming of age novel Playing With The Grown-Ups last year, when the model decided to put pen to paper again recently she took a whole new direction - culinary matters.
And this week the English rose was at the Hay on Wye literary festival to read excerpts from her first cookery book, Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights. The book reflects the 31-year-old's famously healthy attitude to food - although slimmer these days, she first came to fame for her lush curves - with recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner followed by "decadent puddings".
Also at the town's famous book festival were Sting and his wife Trudie Styler, who shared their experience of Twin Spirits - a play about 19th century German composer Robert Schumann which they performed on Broadway in 2006.
Daytime TV favourite Richard Madeley, who recently ended a run presenting a digital chat show with wife Judy, was there too. He drew laughter from the hundreds of fans who'd gathered to hear him talk about his new book Father And Sons, when he commented he was glad to be back in front of a "big audience".The festival's celebrity attendees weren't the only ones getting literary this week. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell spent Saturday signing copies of her latest Ugenia Lavender children's book. The mum-of-one's works – there are six to date – follow the adventures of a sassy nine-year-old girl and her friends.
