TV & Showbiz

Tom Hardy is back reading bedtime stories on CBeebies again

The celebrated British actor is an absolute icon of the popular series.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th July 2023

Tom Hardy is back doing what he does best… and that’s reading bedtime stories on CBeebies, of course.

Much to the delight of parents right across the UK, probably even more so than the kids at this point, the celebrated actor and heartthrob has teamed up with CBeebies once again to read another handful of bedtime stories as part of the children’s TV channel’s ever-popular Bedtime Stories series.

His first tale aired last night, and it’s all about 75 years of our wonderful NHS.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, CBeebies Bedtime Stories first hit our screens all the way back in 2006, and it sees celebrities and famous faces from all fields of the entertainment world read a different story to kids each night just before bedtime.

More than 850 episodes have now made it to air, and the series has gone on to become a beloved staple for parents in countless households nationwide.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories
CBeebies Bedtime Stories first hit our screens all the way back in 2006 / Credit: BBC

British actor Tom Hardy is well-known across the world for his roles blockbuster films such as The Dark Night Rises, Inception, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dunkirk, Venom, and so much more, but aside from his glittering acting career, ongoing charity work, and undying love for dogs, he’s also pretty famous with the little ones – and the grown-ups, too – for his regular story-telling appearances on the CBeebies series.

The 45-year-old read his first story as part of the series back in 2017, and after his initial appearance seemed to go down a treat with viewers of all ages, not just kids, the broadcaster has called him back to read another four.

And now, the BBC has confirmed that Hardy is back for not just one, but six new episodes.

https://twitter.com/CBeebiesHQ/status/1676471371080015874?s=20

In what is a common sight for Bedtime Stories fans, Hardy recorded all six new stories in his garden surrounded by nature and accompanied by his pet French Bulldog named Blue.

Hardy’s first story – which aired on CBeebies last night, and is now available to watch back on BBC iPlayer – was chosen to mark the historic 75th anniversary of the NHS, as he sat down to read Zog and the Flying Doctors by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The story tells the tale of Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout, and their trusty ‘air ambulance’, Zog the dragon, and according to the synopsis, follows them as they “fly around and tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a distressed unicorn, and a sneezy lion.”

Read more:

If you fancy watching Tom Hardy’s latest CBeebies Bedtime Story, head to BBC iPlayer here.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – a masterclass in comedy, colour and movement

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joseph Technicolor Dreamcoat Manchester Opera House review 2025

To start with, we’re going to begin this review by advocating for going into stage shows with as little knowledge as possible because it only dials up the already exaggerated nature even further – we knew next to nothing about Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat before seeing it in Manchester.

And we truly think it helped.

Now, when we say nothing, we’ve obviously heard the title plenty of times over the years as it remains one of the most celebrated musical productions on the planet, and you don’t need to be an avid theatre buff to know who Andrew Lloyd Webber is. The point being is that all we knew was its reputation.

Going along with a second party several decades older than us who shared the same blindspot and just never quite understood what all the fuss was about makes the next part even funnier: we both loved it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Opera House tickets
Colour, colour and more colour.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat review Manchester
Some impressive yet superbly simple production value.
Our review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Opera House in Manchester. (Credit: Press Tristram Kenton)

We’re not going to dive too heavily into the story as we’re sure plenty of you who are more well-versed in the genre don’t need a synopsis regurgitating for the umpteenth time, but what we will say is that we’re somewhat glad we weren’t aware of its religious themes and numerous biblical references.

Not because we have any particular issue with Christianity nor adapting stories within theologies to turn them into entertainment, but because as atheists we probably would have been less keen to choose this particular text over another.

However, this is why we’re thankful for going in blind as we fear many others have missed out on this long-standing vibrant, energetic, all-singing, all-dancing twist on the tale of Genesis for decades simply due to being non-believers/agnostic.

That being said, we can confidently assure you that not only can you put your thoughts on faith to one side for the duration of the performance but, for us at least, it felt like it was more of an undercurrent than anything else and had little bearing on what a truly joyful evening for all ages.

You also get hand-held through it through the eyes of the children being retold the story right in front of you by the expert narrator, Christina Bianco, whose interventions and comic timing were lethal on a crowd already easily cracked up by a punchline or two – but she had the best of the lot.

Those Canaan Days song
‘Those Canaan Days’
Christina Bianco actor
Christina Bianco
(Credit: Tristram Kenton)

Where else to begin than with Joseph himself, played by Adam Filipe, who although we’ll admit to being layman on the subject until last night, feels almost born to play the role.

Not only did he bring respite to an otherwise frenetic (in the best way possible) onslaught of singing with his ability to deliver certain lines as nothing more than perfectly enunciated and emotional speech, but his voice was on point throughout and the way he made full use of the stage from the start was great.

One particularly immature slide up the curved wall of the set in the opening five minutes and we knew all we needed to know about not just movement but the rest of the cast too; pretty much non-stop movement and expression virtually at all times.

The dancing – particularly a rather hilarious ‘can-can’ confusion – was top-notch throughout and no matter which bright, flowing costume he or the ensemble was wearing during a specific number, they all looked the part and didn’t put a foot out of place.

Adam Filipe Joseph
Even a more serious interlude was welcome.
opera house manchester shows
We’d have loved more yellow-forward moment and backdrops in the palette but that’s just us being picky…
Credit: Press Images

But much to our delight, there really wasn’t one standout performance that stood head and shoulders above the rest, simply because they were all brilliant.

Whether it was the Jacobs and Sons company of brothers bringing both melodrama and some comic relief, or the score of female dancers delivering an elegance and added level of pageantry to proceedings, they all played their part.

However, every time one or more of the kids took to the stage a show-stealing moment was ripe for the picking and they all seized their opportunity, be it in unison or in the select few solo moments in the spotlight. An audience is always going to get up for youngsters shining front and centre.

But, we suppose if we absolutely had to give another special mention to another member of the production and single them out, there’s only one person it could be…

Having previously played the lead role back in 2016 following his X-Factor success, Joe McElderry returns to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Manc crowd in the role of the Pharoah and boy was he good having passed the baton and shifted gears. So good and so funny.

joe mcelderry joseph technicolor dreamcoat
joe mcelderry as the pharoah
Credit: Supplied

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As well as an expert command of light, colour and choreography, the one thing we were surprised by was just how well-placed the comedy was throughout.

Not too much, not too little and nothing too contrived – a hard balance to strike and one that helps ease in those rare typically theatre-goers prone to a touch of cringe.

All in all, we sincerely urge you to go and see this show for yourselves, especially if you’re like us and have never given it a chance before. You won’t regret it.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is on in Manchester until Sunday, 9 March. You can still grab tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Tristram Kenton (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for FREE across the UK next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant People in the cinema

Thousands of cinema tickets are being given away for free all across the UK next month, and you can get your hands on them now.

As part of Escapes – a project supported by the British Film Institute (BFI) and National Lottery funding giving everyone the opportunity to “enjoy the big screen experience” and “discover independent cinema” – tens of thousands of cinema tickets are now up for grabs in Greater Manchester and across the UK for completely free of charge.

The ultimate aim of the Escapes project is to “bring new audiences” to the cinema, whether you’re someone who always prioritises a trip to the cinema, someone who treasures a visit but only on a special occasion, or someone who’s just keen to discover more.

There is a slight catch though… these tickets are only to see one particular film.

The Penguin Lessons
The Penguin Lessons
You can get free tickets to see The Penguin Lessons starring Steve Coogan next month / Credit: Sony Pictures Classics

But as far as free tickets to cinema go, let’s just say you could do a whole lot worse than taking a trip to see the the new heartwarming drama-comedy The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March, before it gets its wider release to the public.

The Penguin Lessons – which is inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who takes up a teaching post in Argentina in 1976 – tells the story of Tom, played by Steve Coogan, who arrives expecting an easy ride, however he quickly finds himself in a divided nation with a class of unteachable students.

After rescuing a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, Tom’s life is turned upside-down, leading to unexpected friendships and profound life lessons.

From the director of the Full Monty and the writer of Philomena, and also featuring a performance from Jonathan Pryce, the film promises to be both “humorous and heartfelt” by combining comedy and drama, and is ideal for film-lovers looking for a story that will bring all the feels this March.

This is the second year Escapes is offering free cinema tickets, after already making a huge impact with more than 65,000 tickets claimed in 2024 alone.

All showings of The Penguin Lessons will be screened with descriptive subtitles.

Escapes is partnering with leading cinema chains, as well as independent venues across the UK throughout 2025.

If a touching comedy-drama about a penguin doesn’t really sound like something up your street though, not to worry, as The Penguin Lesson is only the first film on the lineup in 2025, as Escapes is set to announce a range of other new films to preview all throughout the year.

Read more:

Fancy it then?

You can find out more about Escapes, find out which Greater Manchester cinemas are participating, and grab your free ticket to see The Penguin Lessons on Monday 17 March here.

Featured Image – Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

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