NOTORIOUS former drug-smuggler and intrepid bon-viveur Howard Marks will be sharing his honesty and humour at Camp Bestival today.

He will look back at four extraordinary and action packed phases of his life in his new show ‘Scholar, Smuggler, Prisoner, Scribe’ at the festival at Lulworth Castle.

The Camp Bestival stalwart said: “My fondest memory is of the first Camp Bestival when I was unexpectedly asked to read fairy stories to the children as no amplified music was allowed for an hour.

“It was the first time I had done anything like that, and it has now developed into one of my careers.”

The former international cannabis smuggler, who graduated from Oxford University with a degree in nuclear physics, said he is trying to explore radical new concepts of what constitutes book readings.

“I’m trying to make it much more exciting than book readings are traditionally,” he said.

And his words of advice to first time Camp Bestival-goers is: “Familiarise yourself with every aspect because you will return.”

More than 50 speakers, authors, poets, journalists, scientists, philosophers, kids’ writers and illustrators will be at the Guardian Literary Institute stage in the Kids Garden.

Howard will be presenting his spoken word show today at 2.45pm and will also be speaking at 6.30pm at the Bandstand this evening.

Festival organiser and BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank said the literary stage gives revellers the chance to “delve into the brains, minds and inner recesses of many of the country’s greatest authors, poets and speakers with another bountiful mix of the well-known nestled along unsung heroes of their craft”.

He said: “I live my life surrounded by music and noise so the Guardian Literary Institute is always a welcome break from the hubbub of the festival and I normally learn more in 30 minutes there than in the rest of my year.”

Camp Bestival’s ever popular ‘How To’ series welcomes national treasure Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards to chat about being crowned champion of ITVs diving contest ‘Splash’ and radio presenter Jo Whiley to give a masterclass in ‘How to Present’.

Human rights activist Trevor Phillips OBE will speak on the topic of ‘How to Handle a Riot’ and Mercury Award nominated folk musician Sam Lee will reveal his musical secrets in ‘How to Collect Songs’.

Spoken word performer Scroobius Pip has invited Ted Hughes Award winner Kate Tempest and the immensely talented Polarbear to join him on his Sunday session for an impressive triple bill.

During Bestselling Women’s Hour, Camp Bestival will be welcoming female novelists Adele Parks, Lisa Jewell, Emily Barr and Anna Maxted for a chat on the sofa.

Children of all ages are in for a treat in the Dingly Dell Story Den as they can gather under the trees and listen to Laura Dockrill’s tales of Darcy Burdock and Guy Bass’s stories of Stitch Head.