The recently retired Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, a familiar figure at the literary festival, will also participate.

BBC: Hans Blix, Miranda Hart and Carl Bernstein

She became such a familiar figure at her local Saturn dealer and so knowledgeable about its lineup that she was hired as a sales consultant.

CNN: Saturn owners hope GM doesn't abandon them

The war veteran struggling to adjust, amid the apparent ingratitude of the citizens in whose name he fought, is a familiar figure from Vietnam to Afghanistan.

ECONOMIST: New film

Called "the most influential private citizen in America" by Time, Dick Morris is a familiar figure as a commentator for the Fox News Channel and is well known for hard-hitting, nonpartisan commentary about the U.S. political scene.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Farooq is a familiar figure.

CNN: BRAVE AS A LION

With Mr Harper now a more familiar figure, that may not work this time.

ECONOMIST: Canada's general election

Some observers had questioned Kutcher's ability to portray such a complicated and familiar figure.

CNN: Steve Jobs movie premieres to mixed reviews

Mr Darling is too familiar a figure now to extract much benefit from this kind of event, but he showed once again that he is a safe pair of hands.

ECONOMIST: A television contest for the worst job in politics

For every Chinese buyer who trusts a familiar brand or sales agent, many more will figure that a native developer has a better product.

FORBES: Building Out (of China): Property Tycoons Follow Wealthy Customers Overseas

The figure at the centre of the action - the caller - traditionally announces each number in a language so familiar it has become corny: "Two fat ladies - 88", "clickety click - 66".

BBC: Online bingo: A very full house