CBeebies Bedtime Story Takeover Week Hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley
BBC Radio 2 is set to take over CBeebies Bedtime Stories for a week-long celebration of music, with popular radio presenter Jo Whiley leading the charge. Whiley will kick off the event by reading a book about rock stars, setting the stage for a star-studded lineup of presenters to follow suit.
A Week of Musical Stories
Joining Whiley in the CBeebies Bedtime Story Takeover Week are fellow radio presenters Scott Mills, Trevor Nelson, Vernon Kay, and Sara Cox. Each presenter will take a turn reading a different story, all centered around the theme of music and the power of storytelling.
Whiley will begin the week with a reading from “Rock Stars Don’t Nap” by Jason Perkins and Cale Atkinson, setting the tone for the musical journey ahead. Mills will follow with a story about the importance of listening, titled “What Makes a Lemur Listen” by Samuel Langley-Swain and Helen Panayi. Nelson will then present “Whisper, Shout: Let it Out!” by Madhvi Ramani and Anuska Allepuz, followed by Kay reading from “You Can Do Anything (Hip And Hop)” by Akala and Sav Akyuz. Cox will round out the week with “Kitsy Bitsy’s Noisy Neighbours” by Polly Faber and Melissa Crowton before all five presenters come together to read “One Sweet Song” by Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Sonia Sanchez.
Memorable Moments and Nostalgic Reflections
For Whiley, reading a Bedtime Story to the next generation of CBeebies viewers was a nostalgic experience. She shared, “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.”
Cox also reflected on the magic of bedtime stories, saying, “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.”
Mills added that appearing on the show had been a dream come true for him, while Nelson found the experience to be unusual yet fulfilling. The presenters’ enthusiasm for sharing stories with young viewers highlights the importance of storytelling in fostering imagination and creativity.
Building up to Radio 2 In The Park
The special week of CBeebies Bedtime Stories is not just a standalone event but also serves as a prelude to the Radio 2 In The Park weekend, which promises music, entertainment, and festival fun. This year, the live music event will take place in Preston from September 6 to 8, offering a weekend of live performances and family-friendly activities.
CBeebies Bedtime Story airs each weekday at 6:50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, providing a soothing and engaging way for children to wind down before bedtime. The collaboration between BBC Radio 2 and CBeebies showcases the power of storytelling and music in capturing the hearts and imaginations of young audiences.
As the CBeebies Bedtime Story Takeover Week unfolds, viewers can look forward to a diverse range of stories that celebrate the joy of music and the magic of bedtime tales. With Whiley and her fellow presenters leading the way, this special event promises to be a memorable and enchanting experience for children and parents alike.