Punk poet John Cooper Clarke is to receive the 2025 Northern Music Award in recognition of his influence in the world of music and poetry.
The awards, which celebrates musical talent from the north of England, will also see singer Yungblud presented with the disruptor in music award and Mercury Prize-winning band English Teacher awarded the album of the year gong for This Could Be Texas.
Clarke, 76, also known as the “Bard of Salford”, said: “I am knocked out to receive this award.
“The North is where it all started for me, and I’m honoured to be recognised in this way.