Children's author Malorie Blackman: 'As a teenager I had never read any books by Black authors'
![Malorie Blackman speaking at the Merky Books Literature Festival in 2023](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1623_LTMYS_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Children's author Malorie Blackman: 'As a teenager I had never read any books by Black authors'
Line of Duty's Martin Compston: 'I was a wee bit of wide-o. But I don't think there was any malice'
![Martin Compston at the Waterfront Cinema in Greenock ahead of the preview of his new series, Martin Compston's Scottish Fling. Picture date: Monday September 5, 2022.](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1621_YS_2JWF9PY.jpg?w=768)
Line of Duty's Martin Compston: 'I was a wee bit of wide-o. But I don't think there was any malice'
'Future is as shaky as its ever been': Will Baillie Gifford funding row kill our book festivals?
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Edinburgh-International-Book-Festival-village-6.gif?w=768)
'Future is as shaky as its ever been': Will Baillie Gifford funding row kill our book festivals?
Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'
![Alexander McCall Smith](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/1617_YS_Hero.jpg?w=768)
Author Alexander McCall Smith: 'At 16 I took myself terrifically seriously. And no one else did'
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
![A Way to the Stars cover](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1594_Kids-books_a-way-to-the-stars-3.jpg?w=768)
The definitive guide to best children's and YA books of 2023
Noddy Holder on possible Slade reunion and defying cancer: 'I'm still alive, thank god'
![Noddy Holder in 2011](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1591-Younger-Self.jpg?w=768)
Noddy Holder on possible Slade reunion and defying cancer: 'I'm still alive, thank god'
BBC Strictly's Angela Rippon: 'I'm showing that actually, people of a certain age can still exercise'
![Angela Rippon, Strictly Come Dancing 2023. Image: BBC](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1590_Angela-Rippon_444252.jpg?w=768)
BBC Strictly's Angela Rippon: 'I'm showing that actually, people of a certain age can still exercise'
Author and activist Naomi Klein: 'My mother becoming disabled changed how I saw the world'
![](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1588-naomi-klein-hero-cr-sebastain-nevols.jpg?w=768)
Author and activist Naomi Klein: 'My mother becoming disabled changed how I saw the world'
Al Murray on boarding school, Pub Landlord and his mysterious grandfather's wartime movements
![Al Murray in a purple shirt](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1587_Al-murray_AETN_HateTheUK_Al_Murray-84934.jpg?w=768)
Al Murray on boarding school, Pub Landlord and his mysterious grandfather's wartime movements
Al Murray: 'Going to boarding school set me up to create the Pub Landlord'
![Al Murray drumming](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1587_Al-murray_WA7227.jpg?w=768)
Al Murray: 'Going to boarding school set me up to create the Pub Landlord'
Slade star Noddy Holder breaks silence after throat cancer diagnosis: 'I kept it very low key'
![Noddy Holder waving](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1401254458-e1697801902195.jpg?w=768)
Slade star Noddy Holder breaks silence after throat cancer diagnosis: 'I kept it very low key'
Adrian Edmondson on family, fatherhood and break-up with late comedy legend Rik Mayall
![Adrian Edmondson](https://www.bigissue.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1585_Ade-Edmondson_PMM_A9A1985R_Adrian_Edmondson_Photo_by_Paul_Marc_Mitchell.jpg?w=768)