At Listening Books, we are proud to be supported by a group of passionate and inspiring ambassadors who share our belief that everyone should have access to the joy of stories. From bestselling authors to celebrated performers, our ambassadors lend their voices and platforms to help raise awareness of the life-changing power of audiobooks.
Each of them brings a unique perspective on why accessible reading matters, and their support helps us reach more people who may find traditional reading less accessible due to illness, disability, or learning or mental health conditions. Whether through heartfelt messages, personal stories, or championing our cause in the media, they help us spread the word that audiobooks are for everyone.
Discover more about our ambassadors and why they’ve chosen to support Listening Books.
Sally Gardner is an award-winning children’s author and illustrator whose work has captivated readers of all ages. Best known for her novel Maggot Moon, which won both the Costa Children’s Book Award and the Carnegie Medal in 2013, Sally’s writing is celebrated for its imagination, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling.
Diagnosed with severe dyslexia at a young age, Sally was once labelled “unteachable” and spent her early years in schools that struggled to support her learning needs. It wasn’t until the age of fourteen that she learned to read—her first book being Wuthering Heights. From that moment, her love of stories took flight.
As a Listening Books ambassador, Sally is a passionate advocate for accessible reading, and champions audiobooks as a vital tool for learners who, like her, absorb knowledge best through listening.
She says:
“Audio for me is completely essential. I have done nearly all my learning through my ears and I want to spread the message of the marvels of listening to more and more young people. We are story hungry animals and audio feeds that beast very well.”
Click here to watch Sally's ambassador video
Image © Nick Tydeman
Jenny Eclair is a comedian, actor, and bestselling author and is a familiar face on television, radio, and the comedy circuit. Jenny is widely recognised for her appearances on Grumpy Old Women, Loose Women, and Taskmaster, as well as for her acclaimed podcast Older and Wider.
In addition to her comedy career, Jenny is a prolific writer. She has published several novels, including Camberwell Beauty, Death and Vanilla Slices, and Moving, a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. Her most recent novel, Inheritance, released in 2019, is a gripping family drama set in Cornwall that explores the long shadows cast by past events.
Jenny is a passionate supporter of Listening Books and the power of audiobooks to transform lives. She says:
“I’m really pleased to be involved with Listening Books. I think providing audiobooks for those who have a problem reading for whatever reason is an invaluable and life enhancing service. Everyone should have access to stories, we all need to escape from reality now and then, and if your everyday reality is tough then it’s even more vital."
Click here to watch Jenny's ambassador video
Image © Ray Burminston
Bali Rai is an award-winning author of over 50 books for children and young adults, celebrated for his honest, relatable storytelling and commitment to diversity in literature. Bali draws inspiration from his working-class, multicultural background, and his stories often reflect the real-life experiences of young people growing up in modern Britain.
His debut novel, (Un)arranged Marriage, was published in 2001 to critical acclaim and has since become a modern classic in teen fiction. His second novel, Rani & Sukh, a powerful blend of Shakespearean tragedy, Bollywood drama, and Punjabi folklore, is now a GCSE set-text. Bali’s work spans a wide range of genres and reading levels, including books for reluctant and dyslexic readers, such as Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder.
Bali is a passionate advocate for literacy and inclusion. He regularly visits schools across the UK, delivering workshops and talks that inspire young people to read, write, and find their voice. His commitment to accessible literature makes him a natural fit as an ambassador for Listening Books. He says:
“I was absolutely honoured to be asked to become an ambassador for Listening Books. I think it’s vital that all people in the UK, regardless of ability, have access to literature, and that’s why this project matters so much, and why I’m very proud to be supporting this project."
Kit de Waal is an award-winning author, editor, and advocate for inclusive storytelling. She is best known for her internationally bestselling debut novel My Name is Leon, which is now a GCSE set-text. Her writing—deeply rooted in themes of identity, belonging, and social justice—draws from her own upbringing in a working-class, multicultural family in Birmingham.
Kit’s literary works include her memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes, which was shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. In 2025, Kit released her latest novel, The Best of Everything, a poignant and uplifting story about love, loss, and the unexpected ways we find connection. The book has been praised for its warmth, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters.
Kit is a passionate advocate for accessibility and representation in literature. She founded the Kit de Waal Creative Writing Scholarship to support aspiring writers from disadvantaged backgrounds and co-founded the Big Book Weekend, a digital literary festival launched during the pandemic.
Kit is a devoted supporter of audiobooks and Listening Books. She says:
“I am a devotee of audiobooks. They reach you in a different way—not better, just different—and for anyone who struggles with reading or holding a book, they are brilliant. Plus, they are the only books you can read with your eyes closed.”
