Published: 12:52 pm, 20 October 2025
Bedtime with little ones can be fun and chaotic, but it also offers a chance to slow down, connect, sparking a love of stories and reading. At CBeebies, we know how powerful a good story can be to help children feel safe, calm and ready for sleep. This new line-up of readers brings warmth, fun and inspiration to homes across the UK, making bedtime something to look forward to every night.
— Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies
A host of famous faces, including a Traitor are taking a seat for a new selection of CBeebies Bedtime Stories. The special guests will read tales that bring magical moments to the bedtime routine, inspiring young minds and helping families wind down together. The new readers are Nikita Kanda, Cat Burns, Joel Dommett, and Hugh Bonneville.
Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies says: “Bedtime with little ones can be fun and chaotic, but it also offers a chance to slow down, connect, sparking a love of stories and reading. At CBeebies, we know how powerful a good story can be to help children feel safe, calm and ready for sleep. This new line-up of readers brings warmth, fun and inspiration to homes across the UK, making bedtime something to look forward to every night.”
Beginning with a special celebration of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, featuring Nikita Kanda, host of BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show. As the BBC marks 60 years of South Asian programming, Nikita brings her voice to the screen in a story that celebrates light, freedom and the power of goodness. She reads Bandi Chhor Divas: Freedom Day by Gurpreet Kaur Bangar, illustrated by Areya Verma, airing on Monday 20 October.
Swapping secrets for story times, singer and Celebrity Traitor Cat Burns, reads Finn’s Little Fibs, written by Lucy Rowland and illustrated by Ben Mantle —a tale about honesty and learning from mistakes. Viewers can also revisit Bedtime Stories from fellow Celebrity Traitor stars Stephen Fry and Celia Imrie, airing again this week, from Wednesday 22 October with Cat’s story on Friday 24 October. Fans of the Celebrity Traitors can also find stories by Mark Bonnar, David Olusoga and Paloma Faith on BBC iPlayer.
TV presenter Joel Dommett returns to CBeebies following his surprise appearance at the CBeebies Prom: A Magical Bedtime Story. Making his Bedtime Story debut He reads A Hero Called Wolf, written and illustrated by Tom Percival – with a positive message that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes. Joel’s performance at the Prom was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on 25 August and will air on Sunday 26 October.
Rounding off the month with a Halloween treat is actor Hugh Bonneville, known for his roles in Downton Abbey and Paddington. Hugh reads Sleep Tight, Disgusting Blob by Huw Aaron—a funny, spooky rhyming tale about a slimy little monster and the bedtime chaos that ensues.
CBeebies Bedtime Story is on each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer, bringing families together and has been a daily, family favourite since the channel launched in 2002. It continues to get the nation reading with its star-studded guests, meaningful partnerships and brilliant stories that inspire a passion for the shared experience of reading.
A digital library of over 300 archived episodes is available on BBC iPlayer CBeebies channel.
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