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Poet Laureate Simon Armitage is a former probation officer, DJ and poet celebrated for his witty and profound take on modern life. He writes in the shed in his garden, and in this podcast he invites guests to join him to talk about poetry, creativity, music, art, sheds, sherry and the countryside.

Updated: occasionally
Episodes available: indefinitely

Episodes to download

  •

    Julie Hesmondhalgh

    Sun 26 Mar 2023

    Simon Armitage talks to actress Julie Hesmondhalgh in his shed in the Pennine Hills.

  • Glyn Maxwell

    Sun 19 Mar 2023

    Simon Armitage talks to fellow poet Glyn Maxwell in his writing shed in the Pennine Hills.

  • Olive Senior

    Sun 12 Mar 2023

    Simon Armitage talks to Olive Senior, poet laureate of Jamaica, in his writing shed.

  • Loyle Carner

    Sun 5 Mar 2023

    Loyle Carner, Mercury Prize and Brit Award-nominated musician, talks to Simon Armitage

  • Pam Ayres

    Sun 26 Feb 2023

    Pam Ayres, poet, songwriter and comedienne talks to Simon Armitage in his writing shed.

  • Simon Dobson

    Sun 19 Feb 2023

    Simon Armitage talks to award-winning composer, conductor and music producer Simon Dobson.

  • Lucy Beaumont

    Sun 12 Feb 2023

    Lucy Beaumont, writer, actress and stand-up comedian joins Simon Armitage in his shed.

  • Ian McKellen

    Sun 5 Feb 2023

    Sir Ian McKellen joins Simon Armitage in his writing shed in the Pennines.

  • Series 3 Preview 鈥� The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed

    Mon 30 Jan 2023

    Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to guests about life, creativity and music in his shed

  • HRH Prince Charles

    Sat 28 Aug 2021

    The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.

  • Sabrina Verjee

    Sat 21 Aug 2021

    Simon Armitage meets Sabrina Verjee, the fastest runner to complete 214 Wainwright peaks.

  • John Tiffany

    Sat 14 Aug 2021

    Simon Armitage talks to John Tiffany, award-winning West End and Broadway theatre director

  • Gillian Burke

    Sat 7 Aug 2021

    Simon Armitage talks to biologist and Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke.

  • Jo Whiley

    Sat 31 Jul 2021

    Poet Simon Armitage invites broadcaster and DJ Jo Whiley to join him in his writing shed.

  • JK Rowling

    Sat 24 Jul 2021

    Simon Armitage talks to JK Rowling in his potting shed about writing & life after Harry.

  • Imtiaz Dharker

    Sat 17 Jul 2021

    Simon Armitage talks to the poet Imtiaz Dharker about creativity in his writing shed.

  • Amanda Owen

    Sat 10 Jul 2021

    Poet Simon Armitage talks to the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen in his writing shed.

  • Johnny Marr

    Sat 3 Jul 2021

    Johnny Marr, musician, songwriter and guitarist with The Smiths talks to Simon Armitage.

  • Series 2 Preview 鈥� The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed

    Fri 25 Jun 2021

    Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to guests about life, language and music in his shed.

  • Simon Armitage

    Wed 27 May 2020

    Simon Armitage is in the shed on his own, self-isolating due to the Coronavirus.

  • Chris Packham

    Wed 20 May 2020

    Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to naturalist Chris Packham about life, art and music.

  • Laura Ashe

    Wed 13 May 2020

    Laura Ashe writer and academic sheds light on the medieval poem Simon's translating.

  • Jackie Kay

    Wed 6 May 2020

    Jackie Kay, poet, novelist and playwright, joins Simon Armitage in his shed.

  • Judge Melanie Plimmer

    Wed 29 Apr 2020

    Judge Melanie Plimmer joins Simon Armitage in his shed to sort out some arguing birds.

  • Sam Lee

    Wed 22 Apr 2020

    Simon Armitage talks to singer Sam Lee about his love of the lyrical bird the nightingale.

  • Lily Cole

    Wed 15 Apr 2020

    Lily Cole is many things. Simon Armitage visits her in her shed to talks about them all.

  • Antony Gormley

    Wed 8 Apr 2020

    Sculptor Antony Gormley drops by to talk to Simon Armitage in his shed.

  • Maxine Peake

    Wed 1 Apr 2020

    Actress Maxine Peake drops into Simon Armitage's shed to talk about roles and accents.

  • Testament

    Wed 25 Mar 2020

    Hip-hop artist Testament visits Simon Armitage in his shed and teaches him to beatbox.

  • Kate Tempest

    Wed 18 Mar 2020

    Kate Tempest, poet, musician, novelist, playwright and more talks to Simon Armitage.

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Sir Ian McKellen: 10 things we learned when he spoke to the Poet Laureate

Sir Ian McKellen: 10 things we learned when he spoke to the Poet Laureate

Simon Armitage and Sir Ian discuss cricket, tattoos and playing Magneto and Gandalf.

Johnny Marr: 10 things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Johnny Marr: 10 things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

The Smiths songwriter on the creative process, the magic of cities, and beaten-up guitars.

Chris Packham: Seven things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Chris Packham: Seven things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to naturalist Chris Packham about life, art and music.

Kate Tempest: 10 things we learned when she spoke to Simon Armitage

Kate Tempest: 10 things we learned when she spoke to Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage and Kate Tempest on rapping, writing under pressure and her pet Malamute.

Guy Garvey: Nine things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Guy Garvey: Nine things we learned when he spoke to Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage invites Guy Garvey to his shed to talk about life, bird watching and music.

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