In a candid chat ahead of the release of his memoir We Did OK, Kid , actor, artist and composer Sir Anthony Hopkins reveals how his tough childhood and long battle with alcoholism formed the contented, joyful man he is today

Music was an all-consuming escape. Now, every song he writes is a love song At 16, I was just starting to take writing seriously. I became obsessed with lyricism and writing lines and my heroes were a

GAZPACHO

ONE OF THE MOST GRIMLY FUNNY POEMS OF the past century is Philip Larkin’s “This Be the Verse,” with its opening salvo about how our parents invariably mess us up. Larkin used a saltier word for “mess,

Marian Boswall defends the building of lakes, which bring both beauty and biodiversity

Prog’s favourite dog whisperer Rick Wakeman has taken an unexpected path on his latest release, Melancholia . The virtuoso musician explains the inspiration behind his new piano album of originals and reveals his exciting plans for the English Rock Ensemble, which include a “full-on” prog record with a tribute to his old friend David Bowie.