Olivia Colman to read The Gruffalo's Child for CBeebies Bedtime Stories

Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman has read the sequel to the beloved children's tale The Gruffalo for her CBeebies bedtime story.

The 50 year old British star joins a list of celebrities including Zayn Malik, Kylie Minogue and Billie Eilish who have brought storytelling to life on the BBC. She selected The Gruffalo’s Child, a 2004 book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, which was adapted into a Christmas Day film on the BBC in 2011.

Colman expressed her excitement, saying: "I have loved CBeebies Bedtime Stories with my children over the years, I was so excited to be able to read one. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did."

Married to Ed Sinclair since 2001 and mother to three children, Colman will narrate the story of the Gruffalo's child who embarks on an adventure to find the Big Bad Mouse, defying his father's warnings. Along the way, she encounters Snake, Owl and Fox, and spots something that looks like the mouse. Colman, who first gained recognition in the British comedy Peep Show, won the best actress Academy Award in 2019 for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite.

She has also received Oscar nominations for her roles in The Father and The Lost Daughter. Besides her TV appearances in The Night Manager, Fleabag, Broadchurch and The Crown, Colman has recently featured in Paddington In Peru, and Wicked Little Letters.

Her episode aired on CBeebies Bedtime Stories today and is available on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.