With her silver hair, trademark chunky jewellery, silver nails and silver-toed ankle boots, and consulting a silver pocket watch, Jacqueline Wilson sparkled yesterday at the Cambridge Literary Festival.

Of course, the packed-out audience expected no less from this twinkly star-author. She held us enthralled with a whizz-through of her early life, revealing that a general lack of encouragement from parents and teachers just made her ever more determined to become a writer.

Her English Language teacher scrawled ‘I don’t like your tone’ on an early essay, but these days Jacqueline has a legion of young fans who adore that instantly-recognisable tone.

There’s a treat in store next month, when Jacqueline’s latest book, Wave Me Goodbye, hits the bookstore shelves. It will feature Shirley, a 10-year old Second World War evacuee. She promises to be a fitting addition to Jacqueline’s line of remarkable protagonists.