Ed Sheeran To Read CBeebies Bedtime Story
Ed Sheeran is the latest in a long line of stars to read a bedtime story for the children’s TV channel CBeebies. The singer will read a story about a boy with a stutter, a subject close to Sheeran’s heart as he had a stutter as a child.
Sheeran will read the 2020 book I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith. The book tells the story of a boy whose father gives him encouragement by explaining that the flow of his words is like a river.
Sheeran said he was “delighted” to read the tale, adding: “I hope the story helps inspire and support other children who stutter.”
He went on: “Growing up, I had a stutter like the boy in I Talk Like a River, so I’m delighted to be reading this story for CBeebies Bedtime Stories, especially as I’m a new dad myself.”
Past musicians to read the bedtime story include Dave Grohl, Dolly Parton, Robbie Williams, Mark Ronson and Sir Elton John.
Sheeran’s story will air on Friday 5 November, following the release of his new album = (Equals). CBeebies Bedtime Stories are broadcast weekdays at 18:50 BST on the CBeebies channel and are also available on BBC iPlayer.
NME reported that Sheeran told a New York fundraiser for the American Institute Of Stuttering in 2015 that learning to rap like Eminem helped him to overcome his childhood stutter. Sheeran said: “My Uncle Jim told my dad that Eminem was the next Bob Dylan – it’s pretty similar, it’s all just storytelling – so my dad bought me The Marshall Mathers LP when I was nine years old, not knowing what was on it. I learned every word of it, back to front, by the time I was 10. He raps very fast and melodically and percussively, and it helped me get rid of the stutter.”