Celebrity backed reading campaign urges Brits to put down their phone and pick up a book

Celebrity backed reading campaign urges Brits to put down their phone and pick up a bookCelebrities like Fern Britton and Richard Osman are calling on the nation to lean into the love of reading tonight. Join the #ReadingHour from 7pm to 8pm to enjoy any book or free Spotify audiobook3amAimée Walsh Columnist and U35 Deputy Editor12:22, 23 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesBestselling author Richard Osman is taking part in the World Book Night campaign to get Brits reading(Image: Getty Images)Celebrities and authors are calling on the nation to put down their phones and pick up a book this evening to take part in a special national moment.‌As part of World Book Night on 23 April, the National Year of Reading is inviting everyone to lean into the love of reading by joining the #ReadingHour.‌From 7pm to 8pm tonight, people across the country are encouraged to dedicate just sixty minutes to a story they love, celebrating the fact that reading belongs in our busy, modern lives. This date is a special one for book lovers, marking both William Shakespeare’s birthday and the UNESCO International Day of the Book.‌High-profile ambassadors are leading the charge to show that reading is for everyone. Household names such as Richard Osman, Adam Kay, Dermot O’Leary, Adele Parks, Ann Cleeves, and Ian Rankin are supporting the campaign.View 2 ImagesFern Britton has joined other celebrities and authors in supporting the campaign(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)READ MORE: Women's Prize for Fiction 2026 shortlist spotlights fresh voices and small publishersREAD MORE: Researcher wins £10,000 for hopeful climate change books showing we can save EarthThey are joined by Fern Britton, Paterson Joseph, Sathnam Sanghera, and George the Poet, all of whom are encouraging the public to rediscover the joy of a good book, whether it is a thriller, a biography, or a graphic novel.‌Richard Osman said: “New thoughts, new worlds, new friends, peace, imagination, and, above all, joy. These are just some...