FAST talking chat show host Clive Anderson will reveal his secret passions and private horrors in a show at the Ledbury Poetry Festival.

The host of Clive Anderson Talks Back and Whose Line Is it Anyway? will improvise a witty evening of encounters with famous and not so famous books.

"What we are hoping for is an insight into the mind of Clive Anderson, its quirks, its foibles, its charms - and its wisdom," said Charles Bennett, festival manager.

Over the years the festival has played host to a number of celebrities who give a Desert Island Discs-style talk about their favourite works of literature.

"Last year, we had Clive James talk about eight poems, and before that we've had Jeremy Paxman and Germaine Greer," said Dr Bennett.

"We have no idea what he's going to talk about. He might simply talk about pieces he likes, but we would also be interested to hear about ones he doesn't like."

Clive Anderson will be appearing at the Community Hall in Ledbury between 6pm and 7pm tomorrow. Tickets cost £10, £8 concessions.

n AUDITIONS are being held to find future showbiz stars to take part in a professional production.

Merlin Youth Theatre has teamed up with Bishop Perowne CE High School to stage a production directed and choreographed by Richard Swerrun.

For more than three years, Mr Swerrun starred as the title character in the national touring production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

As well as taking direction from a professional, those chosen to star in the production will attend workshops by the likes of Chris Hatt, musical director of Joseph.

The production, called Showbusiness... A little bit more will run in November, with weekly workshops from September. The cost will be £15 per week for 12 weeks.

Auditions will be held on Sunday, July 14, between 2pm and 4pm, at Bishop Perowne on Merriman's Hill Road, Worcester.

Participants must be aged between 10 and 18 and bring whatever is required for their audition piece - either dance, song, drama or music, lasting no longer than five minutes.

For further information, call 07796 446287.