ONE of the stars of a hit BBC drama is set to appear at a North Yorkshire literary festival.

George Costigan, who plays Nevison Gallagher in Happy Valley, will appear at the Harrogate Literature Festival later this month, to discuss his career and his new novel.

The actor and writer released his debut novel The Single Soldier earlier this year. A story set in wartime France during the German occupation. the novel has received high praise from fellow novelists and television writers.

Among those praising his debut were Happy Valley creator Sally Wainwright, who said it was "beautifully written", and "the characters and the community are so vividly and colourfully conjured up".

Fans of the actor can meet him to discuss his acting and writing career on from 5pm on Sunday, October 22, at the Crown Hotel, Harrogate.

George said: "I’m a huge fan of Yorkshire and live part of the year in North Yorkshire where my son and grandson are based. To be part of the Harrogate Literature Festival with Hugh Fraser and Mark Charnock is a real treat. So, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake in Betty's, soak up the delights of God Own Country, and then come and chat to us three."

He will be joined on stage by fellow actors Hugh Fraser - best known as Captain Arthur Hastings to David Suchet's Hercule Poirot - and the host for the evening, Mark Charnock - best known as Marlon Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale.

Fraser will also discuss his own trilogy of thrillers, Malice, Harm and Threat.

Tickets cost £12 and are available at harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/literature-festival/take-three-actors/ or from the Harrogate Festivals box office by phoning 01423 562303.