Scientist Richard Dawkins will be joined by YouTuber and podcast host Alex J. O’Connor for the first date of his final ever tour.

The Oxford date of 'An Evening with Richard Dawkins and Friends' will see the pair in conversation at the New Theatre on Monday, October 21.

Mr O'Connor, who is the host of philosophy podcast 'Within Reason', said: "I have enjoyed several conversations with Richard in the past on a variety of topics, so am delighted to be joining him in our home city of Oxford."

The tour, which has been described as a "final bow" by Mr Dawkins, will see him discuss topics from science to religion, life on earth and beyond, as well as his latest book, 'The Genetic Book of the Dead'.

He said: "I am 83 years old, and travel is more irksome than it was.

"The maxim, ‘quit while you’re ahead’ has recently received a welcome boost, and I anticipate that this will be my last EU/UK tour. My swansong. My final bow.

"There’ll be a Q&A at every event. And I’ll be signing any or all of my 19 books, including The Genetic Book of the Dead, which will be just published.

“This will probably be your last opportunity to tell me how profoundly you disagree with everything I’ve written and said."