Two of the BBC's top spoken word programmes will broadcast as part of the 'Glastonbury of poetry' in Morecambe.
The Verb and Loose Ends will air from Morecambe Poetry Festival at the Winter Gardens theatre this September.
The Verb is hosted by Ian McMillan and is described as "a weekly language and literature cabaret with a mixture of high-octane guests and the best of new writing".
The show will be moving to BBC Radio 4 from Radio 3 this year, airing on Sunday afternoons at 5.10pm.
Loose Ends on BBC Radio 4 is regularly hosted by Clive Anderson with guests, and is described as "an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy".
There has been no confirmation on who will host the broadcast in Morecambe, although the BBC recently announced that top radio DJ and music critic Stuart Maconie was joining its roster of presenters.
"To say we're excited is something of an understatement," said Matt Panesh, who founded Morecambe Poetry Festival in 2022 and co-hosts the 'Decadent Airwaves' poetry show on Beyond Radio.
"The BBC is bringing two of its leading Radio 4 spoken word and performance shows to Morecambe Poetry Festival to capture the poets in action and chat to guests in front of a live audience."
Both events will be free to attend, with holders of festival weekend passes to be given the first option of booking the two BBC shows before being made available to the general public.
"The shows feel a natural fit with the rest of the programme, as the festival continues to build," said Matt.
"It's really great to offer the town a chance to see these shows for free."
The Verb’s long-standing presenter Ian McMillan is a poet and performer from Yorkshire, as well as a playwright, journalist, and all-round poetry whirlwind. As well as writing and performing his own work, for both adults and children, he is a tireless champion of poetry and the spoken arts, and a campaigner for the arts to be for everybody. He has been described by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy as “world-class – one of today’s greatest poetry performers”, and is one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters.
Sue Roberts, Executive Editor, Loose Ends and The Verb, said: “Morecambe Poetry Festival features both high profile talent and phenomenal new names. We can’t wait to bring our audience some of these with our own Radio 4 twist - come and join us.”
Comedy folk music poet Mike Harding, national treasure Pam Ayres, Sunday Times bestselling poet Donna Ashworth, comedy actor, writer and impressionist Alistair McGowan, literary institution Lemn Sissay MBE, festival friend Henry Normal, potty-mouthed Thick Richard and the award winning Jamaican British poet Raymond Antrobus MBE FRSL have already been announced for this year's Morecambe Poetry Festival, which takes place from September 20 to 22.
Read more: Excitement builds for Morecambe Poetry Festival - Beyond Radio
Twenty vehicles caught speeding during community speed enforcement drive in Lancaster
Councillors call for halt to demolition of vandalised Morecambe 'youth hut'
Coastal pollution clean-up training to be held on Morecambe beach
Man seriously injured at Morecambe pub "making excellent progress" as investigation continues
Vandals target tractors used by King's Guide to Sands of Morecambe Bay to keep walkers safe
MP hopes for improved mobile signal at last as new mast installed in Lancaster
Maternity services at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary officially exit national special measures
Crews tackle kitchen fire in Lancaster
Opening date announced for animal rescue charity's new Morecambe home
Lancaster MP takes on Morecambe 10K in aid of new children's playground
Tributes paid to twice-Lancaster mayor who served on council for 56 years
Dancing Eric Morecambe Statue part of police campaign to warn about AI deepfakes
PHOTOS: Great Wall of China trek raises more than £300K for Lancaster hospice
Another earthquake hits Silverdale as tremors felt across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay
Fire crews tackle vehicle fire on M6 near Lancaster
Poetry in motion as live workshop comes to Morecambe rail journey
Lancaster pupils highlight school crossing patrol road safety campaign
UK wide lettings agency takes over Lancaster student housing firm
Morecambe live music bar gets change of name
Firefighters put out large vehicle fire in Lancaster
