HE'S renowned for his knowledge about the universe across the world.

And his up coming show Horizons: A 2021 Space Odyssey will take him across the globe.

But for Professor Brian Cox, Oldham will always be home.

He is a Professor of Particle Physics at The University of Manchester, The Royal Society Professor for Public Engagement in Science and a Fellow of the Royal Society, but the keen Oldham Athletic fan said he loves nothing more than a pint of JW Lees bitter.

Prof Cox said: "I know the brewery from growing up in Chadderton and was proud to have an IPA named for my last tour.

"The brewery is amazing and a great family business, the building is remarkable."

If you are up for some stargazing, Prof Cox said that having a drive out of Saddleworth is the thing to do.

He said: "The countryside is spectacular around Oldham, when I was growing up and when we got cars for the first time, we used to drive through Denshaw and up to the hills to Holmfirth.

"You get a spectacular view around there, it is so dark up there, if you go when there is no moon, you can just about see the Andromeda galaxy on a clear moonless night.

"That is two and a half million light years away, you can see it with the naked eye with a pair of binoculars."

Along with an array of other things, black holes in space will be a topic explained on the Horizons: A 2021 Space Odyssey tour and Prof Cox will answer some deep questions. The audience will be taken on a dazzling cinematic journey, telling a story of how we came to be and what we can become.

He said: "In order to understand, we have had to change our picture of what space and time are. The universe is not what we perceive it to be. The physics is interesting as it's a subject that was started by Steven Hawkins, and how we all began. The more we learn, the more remarkable it gets."

Horizons: A 2021 Space Odyssey will be a remarkable event, using the state-of-the-art LED screen technology, the arenas will be filled with images of far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes and a time before the Big Bang.

The deepest of questions will be explored using the latest advances in our understanding of quantum theory, black holes, biology, planetary science, astronomy and cosmology.

Prof Cox added: "The universe is a beautiful place, by studying the universe and studying nature, we ask some deep questions."

For more details visit www.briancoxlive.co.uk.