Comedian and poetry fan Frank Skinner is to launch a poetry podcast, and will be talking about poems “the way I talk about football. I’m passionate about both and believe there is a real space for something that brings listeners on board a literary journey stepping stone to stepping stone, never stranded behind.”

He added: “I’ll be like that guy who sits at an adjoining table in the bar at Euston station, leaning across to tell you something amazing before leaving to get his train. It will be direct, urgent, personal, funny and passionate with me holding the listener’s forearm until I’ve said my piece. I will be like Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, stopping the passing wedding guest, telling his arresting tale, of albatross slaughter and HR unrest, and then disappearing into the night.”

Reading extracts and analysing works, he will share and dissect the best verses of familiar and lesser-known poets in weekly segments. Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast will be available from 20 April. You will be able to listen and download on Planet Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and all mainstream podcast providers.