Olly Murs saw how poetry can inspire creativity among schoolchildren on a visit to a school in Salford.
The singer/songwriter is a big Manchester United fan and not only visited St Luke's Primary School because it works closely with the club but also because its pupils are taking part in the Premier League Writing Stars poetry competition.
Sign up for PL Writing Stars
Murs is a judge for this year's competition and got an early taste from the St Luke's pupils of the high level of writing he will have to adjudicate on.
"I'm blown away today, I'm sort of lost for words it was that good," he said.
"I developed a lot later in life, with my skills. I don't think I wrote to this standard that I've seen today from the kids."
As a highly successful artist, Murs has had plenty of experience in writing and performing his poetry.
And he had some words of advice to the children who are preparing to create their PL Writing Stars poems.
"Any poems that stand out for me, are the ones that come from a special place, that mean something," he said.
"When I'm writing songs for myself, I'm always writing music that when I'm singing I know what it means to me."
Diversity theme
PL Writing Stars encourages children aged 5-11 to write poetry in all its forms, including lyrics or a rap.
This year's competition is based on diversity.
"It's great that times have changed and we're accepting all of the diversities and accepting people differently," Murs said.
"I think it's great that kids are learning at such a young age about that."
Murs will join Rio Ferdinand, author Lauren Child, and poet Joseph Coelho on the judging panel for the 2018 competition.
Teachers have until Friday, 21 December to submit their pupils' work with winners to be announced in March 2019.
