Yorkshire’s Simon Armitage (England’s Poet Laureate)

England’s Poet Laureate hails from Yorkshire, and still lives there. Simon Armitage began his career as a probation officer, and now writes poetry and (and has been poet-in-residence for several universities).

Surprisingly, he lost on his chosen subject of the poetry of Ted Hughes, when appearing on Celebrity Mastermind, losing out to someone who answered questions on a soap opera. He joked ‘I’m not bitter, but next time I’ll choose the specialist subject of ‘what I watched on telly last night!’

Read his poetry volumes Dwell (inspired by animal homes from a squirrel’s drey to a beaver’s lodge) and Blossomise (on spring blossom and orchards).