Elvis asked Richard Nixon to let him into US secret service, letter reveals

A letter from Elvis Presley attempting to persuade the American president to grant him federal agent status promoted roars of laughter at the 2016 Letters Live launch.

It was one of a series of historic letters read out by an array of famous actors, musicians and writers at the event on Thursday night.

British actor Matt Berry opened the show with a boastful letter from the iconic entertainer to President Richard Nixon urging him to let him in to the American secret service.

Berry was followed by a string of celebrity performers including X-Files actor Gillian Anderson, author Will Self, actress Samantha Bond, and musician Jarvis Cocker to bring to life romantic, personal and funny letters.

The event is based on the collection of letters published in Shaun Usher's international best-seller Letters Of Note.

The 2016 series, at London's grand Freemason's Hall, will feature Benedict Cumberbatch, Caitlin Moran, Russell Brand, Shami Chakrabarti and Tom Odell as well as dozens of other famous performers over the next five days.

Letters Live first launched last year and quickly became a sell-out success.

The revealing letters give an intimate insight in to historic events and personalities, ranging from the romantic and funny to the powerful and tragic.

Publisher Jamie Byng, who is behind the live events, said they celebrate the "enduring power of literary correspondence".

"This is the most ambitious run of shows to date," he said.

"Letters Live tries at the most fundamental level to connect people through words."

Last month British actors Jude Law and Matt Berry were among the stars joined by refugees to stage a reading at the Calais refugee camp.