Irvine Welsh has been revealed as one of the special guests at the world’s most prestigious celebration of crime writing this summer.

The Trainspotting author joins the likes of Lee and Andrew Child, Val McDermid, Kate Atkinson and Mark Billingham at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, supported by the Express, in Harrogate.

Welsh will be making his first appearance at the festival, held at the Old Swan Hotel where crime queen Agatha Christie hid out following her ‘disappearance’ in 1926, to talk about Resolution, the final instalment in his Crime trilogy, now a hit TV series, starring Dougray Scott. This year’s event, which runs from July 17 to 20 in the North Yorkshire spa town, is curated by bestselling Slow Horses creator Mick Herron.

He said: “This year’s Special Guests are an incredible mixture of global bestsellers, familiar friends and writers new to Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival, who together guarantee a weekend of thrills, wit and revelations.

“As ever, the festival will be made by those who attend it: our readers, who constitute the most well-informed and enthusiastic crowds any author could ask for and ensure that every event generates debate, and that the conversation continues long after the panels pack up.”

Other special guests include Steph McGovern, whose debut crime novel Deadline comes out in July, Kate Mosse, Paula Hawkins and US writer Attica Locke, a previous 'New Blood' guest at the festival.

Simon Theakston, chairman of title sponsor T&R Theakston Ltd, said: “It continues to be a joy to support the world’s best crime writing Festival for an incredible 22nd year. Last year’s Festival was the biggest and most successful ever, and 2025 looks set to top that.”

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival is delivered by the north of England’s leading arts Festival organisation, Harrogate International Festivals, and forms part of their diverse year-round portfolio of events, which aims to bring immersive cultural experiences to as many people as possible.

Sharon Canavar, Chief Executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said: “I’m so proud of the incredible programme curated by Mick Herron and the team, with some of the biggest names in crime fiction globally and some firm fan favourites headlining the 2025 Festival.

"We look forward to sharing the full programme very soon and can’t wait to welcome everyone to Harrogate in the summer – with an especially big welcome to all authors and readers coming to the Festival for the first time this year.”