Although he has confessed he began his career knowing absolutely nothing about acting, Richard Briers has developed into an immensely popular actor. In the 1960s, '70s and '80s he became the quintessential situation comedy husband with three defining roles; newlywed George Starling, the self-sufficient Tom Good and the obsessive-compulsive Martin Bryce.

His early film appearances were sporadic and largely minor, but through his association with Kenneth Branagh he has expanded his cinematic career with Henry V (1989), Peter's Friends (1992), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), In the Bleak Midwinter (1995), Hamlet (1996) and Love's Labours Lost (2000) and most recently AS You Like It (2007).

Richard was one of the first actors to reply to Tim Arnold's letter, supplying invaluable inspiration for Sonnet 155 and has continued to champion the project throughout it's development. He was awarded the OBE in 1989 then the CBE in 2003. A legend of stage and screen.

Richard will join the cast of Sonnet 155 for the performance on the 9th May