One Hundred Favourite Poems - Abridged

Classic FM is one of the UK's most popular commercial radio stations.

Joanna Lumley has been described as 'our most trusted national treasure'. She was born in India and grew up in England and the Far East, celebrating the Queen's coronation as a schoolgirl in Kuala Lumpur. She is a celebrated actress, a former model and Bond Girl, an author and presenter. Her varied screen credits have included Absolutely Fabulous (where she played the legendary Patsy Stone), The New Avengers, and Coronation Street. She is well known for her travel documentaries and as a political activist, including for the Gurkha Justice Campaign.

Sir John Gielgud spent a lifetime on the stage and in front of the camera; his first film was in 1924 when he starred as Daniel in Who Is The Man? Venerated for giving gravitas to a variety of Shakespearean roles, Gielgud made the role of respected old sage his own, and is considered by many to have been one of the greatest actors of the twentieth century. He died in May 2000.

It's over 30 years since Pam first appeared on the TV talent show 'Opportunity Knocks', and since then her comic poems have contributed enormously to the wider appeal today of all forms of poetry. Many of Pam's poems feature in anthologies used in schools around the world. She's been a regular on TV and Radio over the years - on BBC Radio 2 with her own series, The Comedy Quiz, Pam Ayres' Sunday Afternoon and Pam Ayres' Open Road, and on Radio 4 in Just A Minute, That Reminds Me, The Right Time, Wireless Wise, and her own recent Radio 4 series Ayres On The Air. She was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2004.

Richard Griffiths is highly respected for his work in theatre, television and film. His film credits range from CHARIOTS OF FIRE, to GOLDENEYE; he has recently completed a very successful run of KATHERINE HOWARD in Chichester, and is renowned for his portrayal of Henry Crabb in BBC TV's PIE IN THE SKY.

Richard Wilson has enjoyed international fame for his portrayal of Victor Nekdrew in the BBC's One Foot in the Grave. He is also well known for his theatre performances for such companies as rge Royal National Theatre. He is a highly respected director, most recently of Four Nights in Knaresborough, in London's West End.

Simon Callow is an actor, director and writer. He was born in London and made his London debut in 'The Plumber's Progress' in 1975. He has performed in numerous theatres, taking the lead roles at the RSC and the National Theatre, and his film appearances include 'Amadeus', 'A Room with a View', and 'Four Weddings and a Funeral'. He made his directorial debut with the film of Carson McCuller's 'Ballad of the Sad Café', and has directed several new plays in fringe theatres, and two operas. He has published two autobiographical books: 'Being an Actor', and 'Shooting the Actor'.