Simon Armitage is heading down the garden path for a second series of The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed on Radio 4. The former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, accompanied by his 12-string acoustic, will be his first guest on Saturday 3 July.

Later in the series the Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen, West End theatre director John Tiffany, broadcaster, DJ and gardener Jo Whiley, author JK Rowling and poet Imtiaz Dharker will all pay the poet laureate a visit, with further guests to be announced. Visitors are invited to talk about writing, music, art, sherry, the sounds of nature, philosophy, and to reflect on life and creativity.

In his shed Armitage has been tackling the poetic form of haiku, and each episode will feature a haiku written especially for that week’s guest. He said: “For too long I’ve been in the shed on my own, writing haiku, staring intensely at flowers and clouds, so I’m thrilled to be finally throwing back the door, dusting down the spare chair and sharing real live conversation with clever and creative people.”

The Poet Laureate Has Gone to His Shed begins Saturday 3 July at 7.15pm on Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. The first series, featuring Chris Packham, Maxine Peake, and many more, is also available on BBC Sounds.

PHOTOGRAPH: BBC