The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed Podcast
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.
Episodes to download
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Julie Hesmondhalgh
Sun 26 Mar 2023
Simon Armitage talks to actress Julie Hesmondhalgh in his shed in the Pennine Hills.
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Glyn Maxwell
Sun 19 Mar 2023
Simon Armitage talks to fellow poet Glyn Maxwell in his writing shed in the Pennine Hills.
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Olive Senior
Sun 12 Mar 2023
Simon Armitage talks to Olive Senior, poet laureate of Jamaica, in his writing shed.
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Loyle Carner
Sun 5 Mar 2023
Loyle Carner, Mercury Prize and Brit Award-nominated musician, talks to Simon Armitage
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Pam Ayres
Sun 26 Feb 2023
Pam Ayres, poet, songwriter and comedienne talks to Simon Armitage in his writing shed.
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Simon Dobson
Sun 19 Feb 2023
Simon Armitage talks to award-winning composer, conductor and music producer Simon Dobson.
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Lucy Beaumont
Sun 12 Feb 2023
Lucy Beaumont, writer, actress and stand-up comedian joins Simon Armitage in his shed.
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Ian McKellen
Sun 5 Feb 2023
Sir Ian McKellen joins Simon Armitage in his writing shed in the Pennines.
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Series 3 Preview – 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
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HRH Prince Charles
Sat 28 Aug 2021
The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to HRH Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
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Sabrina Verjee
Sat 21 Aug 2021
Simon Armitage meets Sabrina Verjee, the fastest runner to complete 214 Wainwright peaks.
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John Tiffany
Sat 14 Aug 2021
Simon Armitage talks to John Tiffany, award-winning West End and Broadway theatre director
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Gillian Burke
Sat 7 Aug 2021
Simon Armitage talks to biologist and Springwatch presenter Gillian Burke.
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Jo Whiley
Sat 31 Jul 2021
Poet Simon Armitage invites broadcaster and DJ Jo Whiley to join him in his writing shed.
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JK Rowling
Sat 24 Jul 2021
Simon Armitage talks to JK Rowling in his potting shed about writing & life after Harry.
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Imtiaz Dharker
Sat 17 Jul 2021
Simon Armitage talks to the poet Imtiaz Dharker about creativity in his writing shed.
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Amanda Owen
Sat 10 Jul 2021
Poet Simon Armitage talks to the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen in his writing shed.
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Johnny Marr
Sat 3 Jul 2021
Johnny Marr, musician, songwriter and guitarist with The Smiths talks to Simon Armitage.
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Series 2 Preview – 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.
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Simon Armitage
Wed 27 May 2020
Simon Armitage is in the shed on his own, self-isolating due to the Coronavirus.
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Chris Packham
Wed 20 May 2020
Poet Laureate Simon Armitage talks to naturalist Chris Packham about life, art and music.
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Laura Ashe
Wed 13 May 2020
Laura Ashe writer and academic sheds light on the medieval poem Simon's translating.
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Jackie Kay
Wed 6 May 2020
Jackie Kay, poet, novelist and playwright, joins Simon Armitage in his shed.
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Judge Melanie Plimmer
Wed 29 Apr 2020
Judge Melanie Plimmer joins Simon Armitage in his shed to sort out some arguing birds.
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Sam Lee
Wed 22 Apr 2020
Simon Armitage talks to singer Sam Lee about his love of the lyrical bird the nightingale.
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Lily Cole
Wed 15 Apr 2020
Lily Cole is many things. Simon Armitage visits her in her shed to talks about them all.
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Antony Gormley
Wed 8 Apr 2020
Sculptor Antony Gormley drops by to talk to Simon Armitage in his shed.
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Maxine Peake
Wed 1 Apr 2020
Actress Maxine Peake drops into Simon Armitage's shed to talk about roles and accents.
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Testament
Wed 25 Mar 2020
Hip-hop artist Testament visits Simon Armitage in his shed and teaches him to beatbox.
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Kate Tempest
Wed 18 Mar 2020
Kate Tempest, poet, musician, novelist, playwright and more talks to Simon Armitage.
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
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
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
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
Simon Armitage invites Guy Garvey to his shed to talk about life, bird watching and music.
