His novel One Day sold five million copies and touched the hearts and minds of readers across the globe. Ahead of his appearance at the West Cork Literary Festival, Richard Fitzpatrick talks to David Nicholls about the book that changed his life

What’s going on this weekend

Saturday round-up

Here’s a round up of some of the best festival line-up’s country-wide, from Ailin Quinlan.

Far From the Madding Crowd ****

Us      

Colin Tizzard remains upbeat about Cue Card’s chances of retaining his crown in the Betfair Chase at Haydock following his comprehensive defeat at Exeter on Tuesday.

Irish authors Joseph O’Neill and Niall Williams are in the running for this year’s Man Booker Prize.

Expectations were certainly great when Mike Newell announced this lavish retelling of Dickens to coincide with the bicentenary of the writer’s birth.

John Gosden’s formidable hand for next month’s Ladbrokes St Leger gained further strength as Thought Worthy confirmed himself a major player with victory in the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York yesterday.

Caroline Finnerty

Harry Redknapp endured more misfortune on the racetrack as his Arry’s Orse suffered a heart attack at Ripon.

Aidan O'Brien's Await The Dawn has been drawn close to the inside in stall two in the Group One Dubai Duty Free over nine furlongs at Meydan on Saturday.

CEE LIDDY

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

MASS MARKETFICTION

Sadeek's Song upstaged French Derby fourth Colombian to cause an upset in the Sir Gordon Richards Conditions Stakes at Leicester today.

Frankie Dettori will be unable to bid for a hat-trick in Saturday’s William Hill Ayr Gold Cup after incurring a suspension at Haydock on Saturday week.

Anne Hathaway was a "late bloomer", like the character she plays in her latest movie One Day.

Class Is Class lived up to his name as he turned Haydock’s Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes into a procession under Kieren Fallon.

EDDIE Lynam has warned punters his stable star Sole Power is not at peak fitness ahead of his run in the Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary tonight.

Eddie Lynam has warned punters his stable star Sole Power is not at peak fitness ahead of his run in the Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary on Friday.

Wokingham winner Deacon Blues is among a monster entry of 136 for the Blue Square Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood on July 30.

Captain Dunne will bid to atone for his narrow defeat in France on Sunday in the Investec Dash at Epsom on Derby day.

HARRISON GEORGE heads the weights, and a maximum field of 22 runners, for the William Hill Lincoln at Doncaster.

Cape Vale put up a determined effort from the front to land the totepool A Better Way To Bet Handicap at Southwell for Adrian and David Nicholls.

GODOLPHIN’S recent Ascot winner Poet’s Voice will be supplemented for next weekend’s Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

David Nicholls is on a fact-finding mission with French recruit Dream Catcher as he makes his debut for the yard in the Jaguar XJ Autumn Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.

Ayr Gold Cup winner Redford could bid for a big-race double in the space of seven days after being left in the totesport.com Challenge Cup at Ascot on Saturday.

Barney McGrew and Kaldoun Kingdom will carry joint-top weight in the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on Saturday.

The David Evans-trained Bathwick Bear could bid for further big-race honours in Ireland next month after securing a narrow verdict in the Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy.

Eric Alston's King Of Eden landed a gamble in dramatic fashion under David Allan in the Complete Football Handicap at Newcastle today.

Keira Knightley and Matt Damon look set to star in a movie version of F Scott Fitzgerald’s 'Tender Is The Night'.

Noel Wilson attributed Pavershooz’s victory in the Piramal Healthcare Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle to a rather unusual “lucky omen”.

Paul Dixon, president of the Racehorse Owners Association president and the Horsemen’s Group chairman, has called for an inquiry into the Royal Hunt Cup start which led to three horses being withdrawn.

Willie Muir had to send Nemo Spirit on a 400-mile round trip to find suitable ground but the journey paid off as he put up a brave front-running performance to win the £17,000 (€19,950) Blue Square Stakes under William Buick at York.

David Nicholls has his team in good form and he wasted no time in adding to his score when Falasteen gained a convincing success in the opening Acturis EBF Maiden Stakes at York.

Freddie Head is happy with Marchand D’Or as the top sprinter returns to European action in the Prix de Saint-Georges over five furlongs at Longchamp tomorrow.

David Nicholls once again lived up to his 'Sprint King' moniker as he sent out Regal Parade to lead home a one-two in the John Smith's Ayr Gold Cup.

The Linda Perratt-trained Appalachian Trail heads the weights for Saturday’s John Smith’s Ayr Gold Cup following the confirmation stage.

Kevin Ryan reports Wi Dud to be at the top of his game as he heads to the Curragh for Sunday’s Cill Dara Security Flying Five Stakes.