Jon Snow, Sir David Attenborough and Line of Duty creator among Edinburgh TV Fest line-up

SOME of the biggest names in British TV will discuss the state of the industry as the Edinburgh International Television Festival gets under way today.

Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow will deliver the prestigious James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture, a keynote address regarded as the centrepiece of the three day event.

House of Fraser BAFTA TV Awards 2016 – Press Room – London — Jon Snow (Ian West/PA)

Comedian Russell Brand will also address the festival when he takes part in the Alternative MacTaggart talk.

Russell Brand (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The comedian and actor will discuss his body of work, his commitment to comedy and how he has been affected by fatherhood when he is interviewed on stage by the co-host of his Radio X show, Matt Morgan.

Sir David Attenborough will also appear as he celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Natural History Unit (NHU).

Ancient damselfly named in honour of Sir David Attenborough — Sir David Attenborough (David Parry/PA)

The nature expert, 91, will join the department’s head Julian Hector to discuss some of the most ground-breaking moments throughout the unit’s 60 years, as well as the positive impact it has had on our understanding of the environment.

Other speakers due to appear at the festival include Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Line Of Duty creator Jed Mercurio and star Vicky McClure and former England footballer Rio Ferdinand.