John Cooper Clarke is an English performance poet who first became famous during the punk rock era of the late 1970s when he became known as a "punk poet". He released several albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and continues to perform regularly. He has performed on the same bill as bands such as the Sex Pistols, Joy Division, Elvis Costello and New Order. Clarke was the subject of a BBC Four documentary, 'Evidently... John Cooper Clarke', in May 2012.
He appeared as himself in the 2012 film Ill Manors, directed by the rapper Plan B. In July 2013, Clarke was awarded an honorary doctorate of arts by the University of Salford. He has appeared on the BBC shows 'Have I Got News for you' and 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks'.
