AN interview series which raises money for a high-profile Winchester appeal returns for its third season this month.

With a starry line-up, the Winchester Dialogues is hosted by former artistic director of the Winchester Festival, John Miller.

He came up with the programme as a way to support the cathedral’s £19 million appeal to repair the building and improve exhibitions.

The talks will continue to explore the relationship between the church and state in the 21st century, featuring leading figures from the religious and secular worlds.

The programme started last year, and the next season kicks off on October 10 at the Guildhall with Sir Mark Tully, former Bureau Chief BBC, New Delhi and State.

A former Twyford School pupil, he studied theology at Trinity Hall Cambridge, before returning to his birthplace, Calcutta, in 1965 as the BBC’s India correspondent.

He resigned in 1994, accusing the then director general, John Birt, of ‘running the corporation by fear’.

Dean of St Albans, the Very Revd Jeffrey John, will follow on October 17.

His appointment as Bishop of Reading in 2003 hit the headlines in 2003 as he was the first person to be openly in a same-sex relationship to be nominated to such a senior post within the Church of England.

October 24 sees BBC world affairs editor John Simpson take to the stage.

He has reported from 120 countries, including 30 war zones, interviewing many world leaders.

The Rt Revd Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, comes to Winchester on November 14.

It is rumoured that he had much to do with the Archbishop’s sermon for the post-Falklands War thanksgiving service, which enraged the Prime Minister by calling for prayers for the dead on both sides.

He also delivered the address at the memorial service for Princess Diana, and preached the sermon at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Last year he gave the measured and moving address at Lady Thatcher’s funeral in St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The final talk, at The Stripe Theatre in the University of Winchester, on December 5, is from former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams of Oystermouth.

In 2002 he became the first Archbishop of Canterbury since the Reformation to be appointed from a position outside the Church of England as his previous role was as Archbishop of Wales.

John Miller said: “When we planned these dialogues over a year ago we hadn’t quite anticipated how church affairs and governance would become such front page news, with the recent approval of the appointment of female Bishops and the ongoing debate about same-sex marriage.

“The international aspects of inter-faith relationships will be explored with our two distinguished foreign correspondents.”

The Dean, the Very Revd James Atwell, said: “Our aim in inviting speakers from such a broad spectrum is that they should stimulate our thinking and relate faith to the market place. The audience response thus far leads us to hope that we will have succeeded in no small measure by the final one in December.”

Tickets cost £10, or five for the price of four if purchased before October 10.

To book call the cathedral box office: 01962 857275, or go online: winchester-cathedral.org.uk.

Talks start at 7pm.