Colin Jackson 'You'd think that since retiring from athletics in 2003 I'd have a lot more time on my hands, but you can think again! From dancing to presenting, I'm always so busy, so when I do get time to myself there's nothing I enjoy more than settling down with a good book. I'm a keen cook so cookery books are a particular favourite of mine – I can read them for hours! So, go on and pick up a book for World Book Day.'

Catrin Finch As a harpist, I am used to losing myself in beautiful music. I get the same deep pleasure and sense of involvement when I pick up a novel. I particularly love an action-packed adventure.'

Jane Oliver 'I love music and, as the cellist in the string quartet String Mania, am able to indulge my passion. My other passion is reading and just as when I play a piece of music, I am totally absorbed in the moment, when you read you can delight in the pleasure of a shared book or lose yourself in another world as you are gripped by a story. World Book Day is a fantastic way of bringing everyone together to appreciate and enjoy the pleasure of reading.'

Eve Myles 'I was thrilled to get the part of Gwen Cooper in Torchwood. To get the chance to do a series under the watchful pen of Russell T. Davies is amazing! Some of the best TV programmes have come about as the result of fantastic writing and great books. I would encourage everyone to pick up a book on World Book Day and dive into a whole new world!'

Glyn Wise 'The one thing I really missed in the Big Brother House – apart from my family and friends – was reading! I love books in both the Welsh and English language and it was really hard not to be able to relax with a good read. I'd encourage everyone to take part in World Book Day in Wales – and pick up a book!'

Connie Fisher 'I'm passionate about reading! It helps to develop my creative abilities and allows me to escape to many different worlds. I would encourage everyone to pick up a book and take part in this fantastic celebration of books – World Book Day!'

Dwayne Peel 'I'm passionate about playing rugby – it was always my dream to play and I still love the game more than ever. I'm also an avid reader and it's fantastic to take time out and lose myself in a great book. Everyone should pick up a book and take part in World Book Day activities – there's something for everyone!'

Angharad Mair 'I can't imagine life without books. They educate, entertain, enthral, terrify, excite . . . you name it; all the emotions of life are to be found between the covers of books. I get very frustrated, sometimes, when people fail to appreciate how fulfilling reading a book can be. Please, if you aren't already hooked, do yourself a favour – pick up a book!'

Shane Williams 'If I’m nervous about a big game or have a lot on my mind, reading helps me forget all about the real world. A good book can calm my nerves and distract me from whatever challenges I have ahead.'

Elin Fflur 'I know how much emotion goes into writing and I feel it gives a real insight into another person's ideas and imagination. World book Day is a fantastic way of encouraging people to involve themselves in another world, through reading.'

David Davies 'World Book Day is a great way to allow people to experience the joys of reading and, with such a wide range of books available, I guarantee that there is something out there to suit everyone's interests and tastes.'

Stephen Jones 'Rugby is exciting, exhilarating and entertaining – and so is reading! Join in with World Book Day and experience the thrill!'

Cerys Matthews 'I love reading as much as I love singing! I can really lose myself in a good book and there is such a fantastic choice of books to read and authors to choose from. World Book Day is a fabulous celebration of reading and literacy and everyone should join in!'

Rhys Williams 'After a hard training session, I can pick up a book, switch off and relax.  World Book Day is a superb opportunity to take up reading – try it, you'll love it.'

Meinir Gwilym 'World Book Day is a fantastic way to celebrate one of my favourite hobbies – reading. Music can bring enjoyment to everyone, and reading is just as entertaining. Give it a go – you'll love it!'

Rupert Moon 'I pick up a book and I'm hooked! Every turn of a page draws me deeper into the adventure that is reading. Join in with World Book Day! Join in the adventure!'

Nicole Cooke, Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist 'I have to remain focused when I'm training or competing – avoiding any distractions and alloing myself to become completely absorbed in the moment. The only other time I feel this way is when I read. Go on, get lost in a book – you'll love it! World Book Day is for everyone – join the buzz!'

Rhodri Owen, BBC Presenter 'To discover a book that you love is to discover another world. The entertainment, enjoyment and endless pleasure I derive from reading is amazing – I would recommend it to everyone! World Book Day is a celebration of that pleasure. Join in – you won't regret it!'

Rhys Ifans 'The Universe is enormous, the oceans are deep and we spend millions discovering them. Learn to read, and you will travel further and dive deeper than any spaceship or submarine. We are a magnificent species and reading reminds us of that – and, best of all, it costs nothing!'

Gabby Logan 'Reading gives me a real buzz! I like nothing better than to get my teeth into an un-put-downable book – try it, you'll love it!'

Jonathan Davies 'Generations of Welsh people have opened up new horizons through the pages of books. The scope is never-ending, the enjoyment fathomless.'

Jamie Baulch 'Whatever you want – excitement, knowledge, wisdom, entertainment – it's all available just by opening a book.'

Aled Jones 'I'm delighted to be associated with such a fantastic event, and for Wales to be taking part makes this very special.'

Ryan Giggs 'After the tension and pace of a game, I like to wind down with the tension and pace of a book. To read is to lose yourself in an exciting world of adventure. Give it a go – it's fantastic! World Book Day – a day for everyone!'

Huw Edwards 'To read, to absorb, to become lost in a world outside of your own, and to bring it into your own world. The attraction is there, the opportunities exist, the wonderment of all that is contained in the written word.
On World Book Day in Wales, open up a book, and open up a new world – every word written especially for YOU.'

Ioan Gruffydd 'Books in both Welsh and English have entertained, educated and inspired me throughout my life; I just love reading. I sincerely hope World Book Day will help to reveal the wonder of books to even more people.'

Tanni Grey-Thompson 'I just love reading. It's a wonderful way to become totally immersed in a fantasy world, or to learn even more about the real world. It doesn't matter how old you are, you can find yourself lost in the wonder of words – whether fiction or fact – and enjoy the selfless pleasure that is reading a book.
World Book Day in Wales is a great celebration and I am delighted to be able to support the event which, I hope, will encourage people of all ages to pick up a book and read.'

Matthew Rhys 'In a world so obsessed with television and cinema – moving images – we need to be reminded constantly that the most moving images of all are created in the mind, from the pages of books. On World Book Day in Wales, remember that a book stays with you for life, not just for one day . . .'

Noel Sullivan 'I think World Book Day is a brilliant idea! Reading is great fun, and I hope the celebration will encourage more and more people of all ages to recognise that books are a fantastic way not only to learn but also to enjoy yourself.'

Catherine Zeta Jones 'While reading to your child is certainly important for their education, it is also a great deal of fun and a fabulous way to bond.'

Bryn Terfel 'The lyrics of an opera have their own beauty in the same way as poetry or prose. In Falstaff for example, the play of words in Boito's libretto is amazing – words which are coated with Verdi's music to put the text into a different league.
I would encourage people to read and enjoy the music of words; and I therefore wish World Book Day in Wales every success and hope that it can open up the magic of reading to an even larger audience.'

Siân Lloyd 'To read is to be lost in the magical and totally absorbing world of the written word. I adore reading! Try it – you'll be hooked for life! Join in the magic of World Book Day in Wales!'

Carol Vorderman 'Learn to read, read to learn.Reading is a fantastic way to have fun, and I would encourage everyone to take part in World Book Day in Wales. Come on kids, grab a book and go on an adventure – to the moon, to a desert island, wherever you want to go – reading takes you there. Enjoy!'

Phillip Pullman 'The great thing about reading is that it belongs to YOU, and you alone. When you're reading a book, what happens between you and the story is a private and secret thing. No-one can interfere, no-one can spoil it, no-one can take away what you've experienced from reading a story. Reading is the one place where you can really learn to be yourself, and the strange thing is that it happens by letting you share the experiences and the feelings of people who don't exist at all outside the story. Books are the private strongholds that everyone needs, and children need them most of all. Give children books!'