'Essex', 'Killing' stars for MGEITF

Stars of The Only Way Is Essex and The Killing will attend this year's MediaGuardian Edinburgh International TV Festival.

Professor Brian Cox will also appear at the event to deliver the Alternative MacTaggart Lecture. Google's executive chairman Eric Schmidt is delivering the main MacTaggart Lecture.

Amy Childs and producers of ITV2's TOWIE will speak at the three-day festival about their success and the "blurring of fact and fiction" in their show.

Cast and producers of ITV1 drama Downton Abbey, Miranda Hart and veteran comic Jim Davidson will also be in attendance. Davidson's session will reflect on "the industry that loved him, supported him but ultimately rejected him [and] discuss the changing nature of acceptability in comedy and television".

The Killing's Sofie Gråbøl and producer Piv Bernth will celebrate the BBC Four show's success and the cult fandom for the character Sarah Lund.

Meanwhile, Vernon Kay will provide entertainment at the festival, hosting a special edition of Family Fortunes with teams from Sky, BBC, ITV and Channel 4.

Director of entertainment and comedy at ITV and the festival executive chair Elaine Bedell commented: "Edinburgh this year is going to be an unmissable event for anyone working in the industry - this is an irresistible mix of provocative debate, and fascinating creative insight and access, making a perfect Edinburgh TV festival."