Bolton's Vernon Kay and Sara Cox will be reaching out to a much younger audience as they follow the lead of many famous faces to read bedtime stories to children.
The two Radio 2 presenters will be featuring on CBeebies Bedtime Stories along with fellow broadcasters Jo Whiley, Scott Mills and Trevor Nelson.
Their takeover of the popular slot is for a week-long celebration of music on the children's programme, which has previously welcomed guest readers including Tom Hardy, Harry Styles, Dolly Parton and the Princess of Wales.
Jo will read from Rock Stars Don’t Nap by Jason Perkins and Cale Atkinson on Monday, September 2 before Scott engages viewers in a story about the power of listening called What Makes a Lemur Listen by Samuel Langley-Swain and Helen Panayi the day after.
On Wednesday, September 4, Trevor will present Whisper, Shout: Let it Out! by Madhvi Ramani and Anuska Allepuz and he will be followed by Vernon who will read from You Can Do Anything (Hip And Hop) by Akala and Sav Akyuz.
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Sara will appear on screens on Friday, September 6 with Kitsy Bitsy’s Noisy Neighbours by Polly Faber and Melissa Crowton before the five presenters come together to read One Sweet Song by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Sonia Sanchez on September 7.
Sara said:“It was absolutely dreamy reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story and I hope with the help of my A-level theatre studies I managed to bring the book alive!
“When after a long, busy day you’re reading an average of three books to three kids for quite a few years it’s easy to forget the magic a bedtime story can bring… now my kids are teenagers and too big for stories, taking part in this really reminded me of the fun and importance of a cuddled-up bedtime story.”
Jo said: “I loved reading my Bedtime Story to the next generation of CBeebies rockstars!
“I have so many precious memories of reading with my children when they were growing up and this was a lovely nostalgic thing to do.
“I’m a huge fan of the storytellers and illustrators who gift us these books and stories and it was a privilege to be part of the CBeebies Bedtime Story gang.”
Scott said appearing on the show had been on his “bucket list” while Trevor said it was an “unusual experience” but added that he “morphed into it”.
The special week of CBeebies Bedtime Stories builds up to a weekend of music, entertainment and festival fun with live music weekend Radio 2 In The Park which this year takes place in Preston from September 6 to 8.
CBeebies Bedtime Story is on each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
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