An actor, spoken word artist and singer/songwriter from Salford won the Farrago Poetry UK slam final at the Courtyard theatre in London on Friday night. Tom Gill, now based in London, won two rounds of the London slam on the same night, and then took the UK title after a three-round final. Gill, who has recently worked for the RSC and National Theatre of Scotland, has a background in rap but only began writing and performing material in February this year. He has also won the Kate Tempest Lyrical Fireworks competition.

Past UK slam winners include Elvis McGonagall, Dizraeli, Kat Francois, Zena Edwards,  Deanna Rodger, Hollie McNish, and Keith Jarrett.

Gill’s win means he will be representing the UK in the world final in France next year. He said on Facebook: “It's been a wicked few days …. Not bad for a lad from Salford who proper hated poetry at school.”

Earlier this week there was another big slam contest, when Rose Condo won the world war one slam in Manchester, with Joy France runner-up. The final slam was the culmination of heats throughout the year, and was given the accolade of "best poetry event 2014" by Manchester's Three Minute theatre.