WHAT do Alan Bennett, David Attenborough Stephen Fry, Rory Bremner, Judi Dench, Prunella Scales, Madhur Jaffrey, Rik Mayall, Salman Rushdie and Eric Sykes all have in common?

They are all appearing at this year's The Times Cheltenham Literature Festival next month.

Throughout the 10 days of the festival, from October 7 to 16, more than 400 speakers will be sweeping through Cheltenham this autumn in a whirlwind of voices, ideas and debates.

This year's series of events asks the question 'What does it mean to be free?' and is sure to provoke some of the festival's sharpest and most controversial debates. Simon Schama, Chris Pattern and Tony Benn are among the cultural and political heavyweights debating the state of democracy today and exploring the limits of personal freedoms.

The festival also turns its attention to Africa this year celebrating the richness and complexity of an extraordinary continent. Clare Short and Jon Snow join the debate and an exciting series of African and Black-British writing has been programmed by guest director Diran Adebayo.

Cheltenham has a fine tradition of hosting some of the biggest authors around and 2005 is no exception.

Bestsellers from past and present will appear including Salman Rushdie author of the controversial The Satanic Verses, Alice Walker makes a rare appearance to discuss her work including The Colour Purple and Alan Bennett talks about his new book Untold Stories.

New for 2005 is the exciting new writing project MultiStory which has seen ten leading writers create brand new fiction which will be premiered at Cheltenham. Booker Prize winner Alan Hollinghurst and Orange Prize winner Lionel Shriver are just two of the names who have been putting pen to paper.

As well as developing new projects and ideas the Festival continues to draw the leading names from many walks of life.

Political debate will rage with Sue MacGregor refereeing 'Who's ruined politics: the media or the politicians themselves?' Matthew Parris is just one the figures representing the media while Roy Hattersley and friends will defend the honour of politics.

Other media moguls include veteran journalist John Pilger talking about his fascinating career and John Sergeant who gives his thoughts on Margaret Thatcher's legacy.

Pioneer of television broadcasting David Attenborough gives his account of fifty years as a TV naturalist and quirky social commentator Louis Theroux shares his interest in the more 'marginal' members of American society.

For a 'bit of a laugh' the festival has included some of the biggest names in the business. Rory Bremner returns for some biting satire, Rik Mayall reminds of us of his rise to alternative stardom and Julian Clary reveals what it is really like to host Strictly Come Dancing. There will be no dancing for Eric Sykes when he takes to the Cheltenham stage but wonderful memories from one of Britain's funniest men.

Add to this already heady mix, a wonderful selection of food, poetry and history talks from leading names in their fields and you have the ingredients for yet another spectacular festival.

Join Madhur Jaffrey sharing stories of her life; Stephen Fry unravelling the mysteries of poetry and Charles Spencer giving an insight into the Battle of Blenheim.

Younger festival-goers will be delighted by this year's Book It! Programme, with appearances from some of our leading children's writers. Highlights include events with new Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson and Nick Sharratt, The Fast Show's Charlie Higson, Robert Winston and Johnny Ball.

Festival director Sarah Smyth said: "This year's programme is very exciting indeed - not only because of our ten short story premieres which will be one of my festival highlights - but also because, in the tradition of Cheltenham, we'll be tackling some of the major issues of the moment in what will be powerful and heated debates."