Athill to edit "Today" programme

The Bookseller - 29.11.10 - Katie Allen

Author and literary editor Diana Athill (pic left, David Levene, The Guardian), is to helm one of BBC Radio 4’s "Today” programmes over the Christmas period.
As is traditional, five celebrities take over a slot during the week between Christmas and New Year.

Nonegarian writer Athill, who won a Costa for her memoir Somewhere Towards the End (Granta), will discuss the subject of faith with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

Also in the line-up is actor and campaigner Colin Firth, whose guests will include Dame Edna Everage; artist Sam Taylor-Wood, artist and film-maker Richard Ingrams, and journalist and co-founder of Private Eye Clara Furse.

"Today" editor Ceri Thomas said: "The guest editors have established themselves as firm Christmas favourites on Today and we're delighted with this year's list. They will doubtless bring their own expertise, enthusiasm and new – often surprising – ideas to the editorial process."

Previous guest editors include Zadie Smith, P D James and Stephen Hawking. It was rumoured this week that Katie Price was on the list for this year.