Falmouth Book Festival has announced it will start a day earlier than announced for a last-minute headline addition to their line-up.

The festival will now be starting a day earlier than originally planned, on Wednesday 13th October 13, to host an event with writer, actor and all-round national treasure Dawn French. Dawn has strong connections with the town, having been chancellor of Falmouth University since 2015.

The event will be taking place at Falmouth's Princess Pavilion and she will be talking about her game-changing, Women’s Prize longlisted fourth novel, Because of You,

At the heart of Because of You are two very different families, whose lives are suddenly entwined when a baby goes missing.

Festival Director Colin Midson, said “We’re so delighted to be able to include Dawn French in on our line-up. She’s that rare example of an acclaimed writer and beloved national figure, and of course her participation really helps raise the profile of the festival in this, our inaugural year. "This event is also a great way of making a connection between the cultural life of the town and the University - where she has been chancellor for the last 6 years - who are helping sponsor the festival."

Falmouth Business Improvement (BID) Manager, Richard Wilcox, said: “It’s great news that the Falmouth Book Festival is adding to its programme and extending it to include an extra day. Not only that but featuring one of Falmouth’s best known champions at that! Dawn French has taken on her Falmouth University role with gusto, continually endorsing our town and its positioning as one of the country’s creative hotspots, meaning she’s the perfect addition to the inaugural Book Festival.”

Dawn’s first three novels, A Tiny Bit Marvellous, Oh Dear Silvia and According to Yes are all Sunday Times bestsellers. Her number one bestselling memoir, Dear Fatty, was published to critical acclaim in 2008, and Me. You. A Diary, was a number one Sunday Times bestseller in 2018. She has appeared in some of this country’s most loved and cherished shows, including French and Saunders, The Vicar of Dibley, and Jam and Jerusalem.

Tickets are available through the festival’s website and from The Poly: falmouthbookfestival.com.