Shirley Ballas is set to read a special CBeebies Bedtime Story to celebrate the series finale of the hit BBC One show.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, will appear on the children’s show on Friday and has already filmed the episode at Elstree Studios, home of the famous ballroom.
The former dancer has revealed she is hoping her bed time story will encourage the channel’s young audience to keep dancing.
The star will be telling the story of Pippa, who watches her friends express themselves through their special dance moves and wonders if she will ever find the dance in herself.
With gentle encouragement from the others, Pippa discovers that it’s all about taking the first step.
Shirley revealed she was so nervous about her appearance that she rehearsed her story several times and even read it out to her grandson Banksi.
Shirley Ballas, 64, is set to read a special CBeebies Bedtime Story to celebrate the series finale of the hit BBC One show
The Strictly Come Dancing judge will appear on the children’s show on Friday and has already filmed the episode at Elstree Studios, home of the famous ballroom
The former dancer has revealed she is hoping her bed time story will encourage the channel’s young audience to keep dancing
Shirley Ballas said of her appearance: ‘I hope I can help children watching at home to find the special dance inside themselves. I’m delighted to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story!
‘When I was preparing for it, I practised by reading Big Dance over video call to my one-year-old grandson, Banksi and it was fabulous to see his delighted reaction.’
Shirley’s one off appearance comes after Gary Oldman left fans in ‘tears’ when he read the CBeebies bedtime story for 2024 Children In Need last month.
The legendary actor, 66, read a true story specially written for the episode by Claire Taylor and with illustrations from Tim Budgen.
The story told a tale that aimed to inspire ‘warmth and encouragement and hope.’
Sharing their thoughts on X, viewers praised ‘brilliant’ Gary and said the story ‘made them cry.’
They wrote: ‘How brilliant was Gary Oldman reading the CBeebies bedtime story for Children In Need’; ‘Gary Oldman reading that bedtime story on Children in Need didn’t make me cry at all.’
Other added: ‘Not me crying at Gary Oldman reading a bedtime story on Children In Need’; ‘I b*****y love Gary Oldman.’
Shirley’s one off appearance comes after Gary Oldman left fans in ‘tears’ when he read the CBeebies bedtime story for 2024 Children In Need last month
Shirley’s announcement comes after Paddy McGuinness was yet another A-lister to to read the CBeebies Bedtime Story
Speaking ahead of his appearance, Gary said: ‘Stories have a unique way of inspiring imagination and hope in young minds. Hope for young people seems particularly in short supply these days.
‘So I am very honoured to be reading this very special CBeebies Bedtime Story for BBC Children in Need. I hope our story brings warmth and encouragement and hope to children and families watching on the night.’
Shirley’s announcement comes after Paddy McGuinness was yet another A-lister to to read the CBeebies Bedtime Story.
The comedian, 51, took a seat in the iconic yellow chair last month to read The Stompysaurus by Rachel Bright and Chris Chatterton.
The sweet children’s book follows a reassuring tale about coping with overwhelming feelings and frustration.
Paddy said: ‘What an honour to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story, it’s magical to share a story together. I hope little ones enjoy snuggling up with their grown-ups and watching it together.
‘The book I’m reading, The Stompysaurus, is all about trying to slow down and relax when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Shirley Ballas’ CBeebies Bedtime Story airs on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer on Friday 13 December at 6.50pm.
The Strictly Come Dancing grand final airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 14 December from 6pm.
How the CBeebies Bedtime Story has become a must-do on the A-list promo trail: A look at the stars using the platform to promote their latest material
CBeebies Bedtime Story has seen a host of big stars take on the role in the hopes of getting the nation reading.
But it appears there could be another reason A-listers are signing up, as many of them who appear on the children’s channel are using the platform as a new way to promote their latest material.
While celebs are out promoting their latest album, film or book, by doing podcasts and TV shows, CBeebies has become part of the promotion run.
Billie Eilish is one of the A-lists star to be read the CBeebies Bedtime Story.
The singer, 22, who recently released her third studio album, Hit Me Hard and Soft and has been promoting it since the start of the year, will read This Moose Belongs to Me by author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers at 6.50 pm on Friday.
CBeebies Bedtime Story has seen a host of big stars take on the role in the hopes of getting the nation reading (Billie Eilish pictured)
It appears there could be another reason A-listers are signing up, as many of them who appear on the children’s channel are using the platform as a new way to promote their latest material (Harry Styles pictured)
Elsewhere, Harry Styles, 30, settled down to read his first children’s book on the show in May 2022.
The One Direction star’s reading of In Every House, On Every Street fit perfectly with the title of his third studio album, Harry’s House – which was released around the time of his appearance on the children’s show.
In its first two hours on Apple Music, the album earned the most first-day streams for a pop album released in 2022, the platform announced.
The former One Direction member beamed in a pair of brown pyjamas as he sat in a big yellow chair and said: ‘Hello I’m Harry, welcome to my house. I love it here, I like to listen to music and read and hang out with my friends.
‘Tonight’s bedtime story is about a house full of love and laughter. It’s called In Every House, In Every Street and it’s by Jess Hitchman with pictures by Lili La Baleine’
Zayn Malik, 31, became the second member of One Direction to join the show.
The singer recorded the bedtime story, Music is Everything, while promoting his country-inspired fourth solo album Room Under the Stair.
He said he chose the book because he ‘loves Bob Marley and because music and reading are both important to me as a parent.’
Malik shares daughter Khai with ex-partner, model Gigi Hadid, adding that he reads and sings to her at bedtime.
Zayn Malik, 31, recorded the bedtime story, Music is Everything, while promoting his country-inspired fourth solo album Room Under the Stair
At the time when David Schwimmer appeared on Bedtime Stories back in 2020, he was in the midst of promoting his upcoming Sky comedy Intelligence
Kasabian frontman Sergio, 43, read on the children’s programme in a Glastonbury Festival special last month.
The singer had performed on the Woodsies stage at the legendary festival the previous weekend with bandmates Chris Edwards, Ian Matthews, and Tim Carter.
Paloma Faith, 42, who also appeared at this year’s Glastonbury, read The Party Animals by Alex Willmore at 6.50pm.
Meanwhile, Friends star David Schwimmer appeared on Bedtime Stories back in 2020 and read The Smeds and The Smoos.
At the time, David was in the midst of promoting his upcoming Sky comedy Intelligence, in which he plays a maverick, power-hungry NSA agent based in Cheltenham’s version of MI6.
Kate Winslet led a huge line up appearing of stars who appeared on the show in the run up to Christmas in 2022.
The Titanic actress has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, five BAFTA Awards and five Golden Globe Awards.
However she still jumped at the chance to appear on Bedtime Stories.
She read Grumpycorn, by Sarah McIntyre, telling the story of a unicorn who wants to write the most fabulous story in the world, but is stuck for ideas.
One star who didn’t appear to be appearing on the show for promotional purposes was Tom Hardy.
The Hollywood star has made multiple appearances on the children’s broadcaster over the years and caused quite a stir when he made his debut back in 2016.
Tom returned to screens to read I Am A Tiger by Karl Newson with illustrations by Ross Collins.
CBeebies controller Kay Benbow told The Guardian: ‘He and his agents approached us because he wanted to do it for his kids.
‘I’m so grateful to him, because he raised the profile of Bedtime Stories and brought people to it who wouldn’t necessarily think to look at CBeebies.’
Kate Winslet led a huge line up appearing of stars who appeared on the show in the run up to Christmas in 2022 as she read Grumpycorn, by Sarah McIntyre
Reese Witherspoon became the first Oscar-winning actress to feature on CBeebies Bedtime Stories in January 2022
‘I’m here to read you a bedtime story about a little mouse who might not be a little mouse after all. It’s called I Am A Tiger by Karl Newson with illustrations by Ross Collins.’
Mothers and fathers across the country were left delighted as Dolly Parton made an appearance on the popular BBC programme in 2017.
Dressed in a vibrant yellow biker jacket, the country music star snuggled up in a comfy armchair to read Louise Yates’s award-winning Dog Loves Books.
Orlando Bloom sent fans into overdrive with his appearance on the show back in 2018 with some joking that they would be tuning in ‘despite not having children’ themselves.
The actor was seen sitting on an armchair with his legs apart and puppy Mighty sprawled out on his lap, and appeared to leave viewers a little hot under the collar while narrating the short story.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl swapped the rock and roll guitars and screaming crowds for a quiet night in when he read the Bedtime Story back in 2021 .
Reese Witherspoon became the first Oscar-winning actress to feature on CBeebies Bedtime Stories in January 2022 .
The actress provided a bedtime reading of Extraordinary by Penny Harrison as she read the heartfelt tale of how beautiful things can be discovered in seemingly ordinary moments.
As she began the story, Reese read: ‘Sometimes, when we’re busy, it can be hard to find time to notice the world around us. The things we see every day can seem a bit… ordinary. But if you stop, and look closer, you’ll see that our world is extraordinary!’
Tom Hiddleston gave a heartwarming reading of a children’s book as he sat among teddy characters from the book when he appeared on the show in 2021
Eddie Redmayne won praise after his Christmas Day appearance in 2017 as he was joined by Greg the dinosaur to sooth the nation off to sleep
Tom Hiddleston gave a heartwarming reading of a children’s book as he sat among teddy characters from the book when he appeared on the show in 2021.
The Loki star read Supertato, a story by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, as he cosied up in a purple cable knit jumper.
He concluded his reading: ‘Wow that little pea caused a lot of mayhem. But luckily, Supertato was there to save the day! Now it’s time for you to go to sleep. Perhaps you’ll dream of mischievous villains of brave superheroes. Goodnight little peas.’
Eddie Redmayne won praise after his Christmas Day appearance in 2017 as he was joined by Greg the dinosaur to sooth the nation off to sleep.
The Oscar winning star, best known for acclaimed appearances in The Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, delighted fans with a reading of If I Had A Dinosaur.
