Greer and Gervais confirmed for Edinburgh International TV Festival

by Staff, Brand Republic 12-May-05, 11:00

LONDON - Feminist author Germaine Greer, 'The Office''s Ricky Gervais and former BBC director-general Lord Birt are headlining this year's Edinburgh International TV Festival.

Greer, fresh from her appearance on Channel 4's 'Celebrity Big Brother', will deliver the keynote Alternative MacTaggart Lecture, which likely to touch on her experience on reality TV that saw her walk out of the show.

'The Office' co-creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant will be interviewed by Mark Lawson on life after David Brent and give delegates an insight into the much-hyped new TV series 'Extras', which is featuring a host of stars including Ben Stiller and Patrick Stewart.

Lord Birt, former BBC director-general and now strategy adviser to the Prime Minister, will deliver the MacTaggart Lecture.

Other confirmed sessions include 'The Day the Music Died' with Capital FM DJ Richard Bacon and 'Popworld' host Simon Amstell asking how TV can bring back the glory days of 'Top of the Pops' and 'The Tube'.

Bruce Forsyth is hosting an Edinburgh 'Strictly Come Dancing' competition, with Sky Networks managing director Dawn Airey and Talkback chief executive Lorraine Heggessey confirmed to take part.

The festival is open to anyone working in the broadcasting industry and takes place from Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28.

Registration is now open here.

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