Remember when Tom Hardy broke the internet by reading CBeebies Bedtime Stories and sending parents into a frenzy? Well the good old beeb has done us proud and brought him back - this time for a whole week! The stories were filmed in Tom's garden, accompanied by his dog Blue, following social distancing guidelines.
The actor first appeared on CBeebies back in 2016, and followed with stories on Valentine's Day and New Years Eve. Since then his Bedtime Stories have been requested an incredible one million times on BBC iPlayer, making him the most popular reader ever.
Tom wanted to play a part in keeping the children of the UK entertained at this challenging time and will read a new story each day starting on Monday 27 April to Friday 1 May, with the date of his sixth, and final, story yet to be confirmed.
Tom will read his first story,Hug Me*, by Simone Ciraolo on Monday 27 April at 6.50pm on CBeebies. It is about Felipe the young cactus who really needs a hug but his family just isn't the touchy-feely kind so he sets off to find a friend of his own - and a hug.
Tom opens the story by saying: “Hello. I’m Tom. Sometimes, on a day like this, I feel strong and happy. But on other days, I just need somebody to give me a hug. Tonight’s bedtime story is all about a little cactus called Felipe, who just wants a hug too.”
He concludes the story by reassuring viewers: “So, in the end Felipe found someone to hug. It’s not always possible to hug the ones that you love. But they’re always there, in your heart.”
Other stories include:
- Under The Same Sky* by Robert Vescio and Nicky Johnston, about two children on opposite sides of the world who crave friendship. Is it possible to be friends across the miles?
- There’s A Tiger In The Garden* by Lizzy Stewart about the power of imagination being able to take you anywhere, even for Nora who doesn’t believe her Grandma when she says she’s seen a tiger in the garden
- Don’t Worry, Little Crab* by Chris Haughton is about mustering the courage to try something new and how saying: "Don’t worry, I’m here" can help tentative little crabs discover the brilliant worlds that await when they take the plunge.
- The Problem With Problems* by Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks. Tom tells the bold, humorous and insightful story about how to deal with problems.
Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content, BBC Children’s, says: “It goes without saying how thrilled we are to have Tom reading more stories for us. It’s during challenging times like this that the BBC serves its purpose to entertain the whole of the UK and these new stories are guaranteed to do just that with their themes of long distance friendship, sharing problems and true courage in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.”
CBeebies Bedtime Stories in on each weekday at 6.50pm on the CBeebies channel and is also available on BBC iPlayer.
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