THE controller of BBC Radio 1 is returning to his hometown to speak at a Bromsgrove theatre.

Ben Cooper, the controller of the popular station as well as digital channel 1Xtra, is appearing at the Artrix, in School Drive, on Friday, April 11.

Ben spent the first 18 years of his life living in Bromsgrove, and he will be telling the story of how the boy from Aston Fields ended up running one of the most famous radio stations in the world.

Ben started his career at BBC Radio London, before moving on to present and produce programmes for BBC Hereford & Worcester.

He will be speaking on the tough decisions he has to make at Radio 1 since being appointed in 2011, including undertaking some of the biggest schedule changes in years at the station, and the decision whether or not to play Ding Dong the Witch is Dead following the death of Margaret Thatcher.

Ben helped organise the biggest ever free live music event in Radio 1 history, and introduced The Queen to some of the station's famous DJs.

During the talk, Ben will share his opinions on the future of radio and the challenges facing him when young people are spending more and more time on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

The event is being organised by the Bromsgrove group Words, which promotes interest in the written and spoken word.

The event begins at 8pm.

Tickets cost £12, £6 for students, and are available from the Artrix's box office on 01527 577330, or visit artrix.co.uk.

For more details on Words events visit bromsgrovewords.com.