Simon Armitage

Simon Armitage was born in Huddersfield in 1963. After studying Geography, Social Work and Psychology, he worked in Manchester as a Probation Officer.

His first book of poetry "Zoom!" was shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize as was his second collection "Kid".

In 1992 Simon was voted "Most Promising New Poet" for the Forward Poetry Prize.

Other poetry collections include "Book of Matches" and "The Dead Sea Poems". This year Faber & Faber published "Travelling Songs" and "The Universal Home Doctor".

Simon has written poetry extensively for radio and television and has presented "Stanza" for BBC Radio 4.

He was appointed poet for the Millennium Dome.

Simon lives in a village near Huddersfield.