Ricky Gervais to speak at Edinburgh TV Festival

Ricky Gervais has been confirmed to give a talk at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival, discussing some of the ways to break into American TV.

The writer, actor and comedian will be quizzed by Radio 5 Live's Richard Bacon on the television industry in America. He will also give a "personal insight" into An Idiot Abroad, the hit travel show starring Karl Pilkington that will return to Sky1 for a second series this year.

Also joining the festival lineup is Chloe Sladden, the director of content & programming at Twitter, who will discuss how the microblogging website is revolutionising the way people watch and interact with TV.

Discussing her forthcoming talk, Sladden commented: "I'm excited to join the Edinburgh International Television Festival to share, debate and discuss how Twitter is changing the TV viewing experience. I look forward to conversations with colleagues and partners about what the future holds for interactive TV."

Google's executive chairman Dr Eric Schmidt is to give the prestigious MacTaggart Lecture at this year's festival, discussing how the television industry can better engage with emerging technologies.

Comedian and actor Lee Mack, television presenter Esther Rantzen, The IT Crowd writer Graham Linehan, BBC Drama commissioning controller Ben Stephenson and the stars of ITV2's The Only Way Is Essex are also confirmed to appear at the event.

The Edinburgh International Television Festival will take place from August 26 to 28 at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.