TV presenter and writer Jeremy Paxman is to chair this year’s panel of Forward Prize judges. Also are on the panel is singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews, as well as poets Dannie Abse, Vahni Capildeo and Helen Mort.

Susannah Herbert, director of the Forward Arts Foundation, said: "Jeremy Paxman's personal relish for memorable language and robust debate - not to mention his deep love of poetry - make him an excellent chair of the Forward judges this year."

Last year’s Forward prizegiving incurred the wrath of some figures in the poetry world for using leading actors instead of poets to read poems. The Forward Prizes are given each year for the best collection, the best first collection and the best single poem. This year’s awards will be announced on 30 September at London's Southbank Centre