MILAN – Historian, author and broadcaster Professor Suzannah Lipscomb will chair the final judging panel, which selects the overall winner of the prestigious 2020 Costa Book of the Year. The Costa Book Awards is the only major UK book prize that is open solely to authors resident in the UK and Ireland and also, uniquely, recognises the most enjoyable books across five categories – First Novel, Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book – published in the last year.
The final nine-member panel that selects the overall Costa Book of the Year is made up of a Chairman, a judge from each category panel and three other well-known people in the public eye who love reading.
Alongside Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, the panel this year includes: Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years actor, Stephen Mangan, who has also starred in Green Wing, Episodes and BBC drama series The Split; television and radio presenter, Angellica Bell, who is best known for co-presenting The One Show and The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV and was also the 2017 winner of Celebrity MasterChef, and presenter and book vlogger, Simon Savidge, who hosts YouTube channel Savidge Reads and is known for his presenting work on Sky and for hosting literary events at festivals and bookshops.
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb said: “I’m honoured and delighted to be chairing the final judging panel for this year’s Costa Book Awards. This year, of all years, we need terrific, readable books that carry us away to distant worlds; intelligent books that make us think, laugh, and weep about lives other than our own; and inspiring, compelling books to discuss – albeit remotely – with our friends. The Costa Book Awards identify books like these.”
She continued, “I was fortunate to be a judge last year and it was a deeply satisfying, wonderful experience. I’m so thrilled to be Chairing the panel that will find the winner of the 2020 Costa Book of the Year.”
The five category judging panels are represented by novelist Jill Dawson (First Novel), author Sadie Jones (Novel), writer Horatio Clare (Biography), poet Zaffar Kunial (Poetry) and writer Patrice Lawrence (Children’s Book).
The winner of the Costa Book of the Year will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday 26th January 2021, hosted by presenter and broadcaster Penny Smith.
Originally established in 1971 by Whitbread Plc, Costa announced its takeover of the sponsorship of the UK’s most prestigious book prize in 2006. 2020 marks the 49th year of the Book Awards.
Former final judges have included Prue Leith, Graham Norton, Kate Humble, Fern Britton, Robert Peston, Professor Kate Williams, Sir Trevor McDonald, Meera Syal, Dame Diana Rigg, Sharleen Spiteri, Jane Asher, Richard Osman, Jenny Agutter, Elizabeth McGovern, David Morrissey, Rosamund Pike, Gary Kemp, Erin O’Connor, Alex James, Emilia Fox, Marie Helvin, Michael Morpurgo, Hugh Grant, Caroline Quentin, Ralph Fiennes, Jerry Hall, Ian Hislop, Art Malik, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jonathan Ross, Floella Benjamin, Sian Williams, Ben Miler, Anneka Rice, and Kirsty Young.
Former winners of the Book of the Year include Jack Fairweather (2019), Bart van Es (2018), Helen Dunmore (2017), Sebastian Barry (who in 2016 became the first novelist ever to win the overall Book of the Year twice), Frances Hardinge (2015), Helen Macdonald (2014), Nathan Filer (2013), Hilary Mantel (2012), Andrew Miller (2011), Jo Shapcott (2010), Christopher Reid (2009), Sebastian Barry (2008), A.L. Kennedy (2007), Stef Penney (2006), Hilary Spurling (2005), Andrea Levy (2004), Mark Haddon (2003), Kate Atkinson (1995), Philip Pullman, Seamus Heaney and the late Ted Hughes.
Each of the five category award-winning authors receives £5,000 and the author of the overall Costa Book of the Year will be presented with a cheque for £30,000.
The winner of the Costa Short Story Award – now in its ninth year and voted for by the general public – will also be announced at the ceremony.
For more information on this year’s Costa Book Awards, go to www.costabookawards.com.
