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Simon Armitage named UK’s new poet |

Simon Armitage will succeed Dame Carol Ann Duffy as the UK’s next poet laureate, with the Queen approving his appointment for a fixed term of 10 years.Mr Armitage – who received the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry last year – said he wants to “help poetry explore its potential” in an age of multimedia. While the position does not entail any specific duty, as the 21st poet laureate Mr Armitage will be expected to produce poetry to celebrate national occasions and royal events.From extras.Speaking about the appointment, Mr Armitage said he hopes to “build on the work of my predecessors with energy and enthusiasm” by promoting poetry, especially within education, and young talent.“Since the laureateship was first conceived many hundreds of years ago Britain has changed enormously and the position of poet laureate has changed accordingly,” he said.“I want to celebrate and speak on behalf of the variety of voices who contribute to the rich chorus of British poetry from a wide range of personal, literary and cultural experiences, and to help poetry explore its potential in a multifaceted, multi-vocal and multimedia age.