Tony Walsh is an ordinary bloke with an extraordinary talent and a remarkable story.

Overcoming childhood poverty and illness, then working everyday jobs in the communities of his beloved home city of Manchester, he has risen in recent years to become one of the UK’s most widely recognised and most in-demand professional poets. His work came to worldwide attention in May 2017 when broadcast globally from the vigil for victims of the arena bomb outrage in his beloved Manchester.

Age guide: 14+

“Absolutely beautiful!” Cerys Matthews BBC 6Music

“Excellent!” Jo Whiley BBC Radio 2

“Fabulous stuff…” Irvine Welsh

“Hilarious…” bbc.co.uk