Coronavirus Kent: Tom Hardy to read a week of Cbeebies bedtime stories beginning on April 27

Tom Hardy is returning to Cbeebies Bedtime Stories for a week-long special later this month.

The popular British actor is Cbeebies' most requested Bedtime Stories reader, with his appearances having been searched for more than one million times on the BBC iPlayer since he first appeared in 2016.

And so - in an attempt to bring some cheer and light relief to families isolating at home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak - a week-long special with the 42-year-old has been announced.

Tom Hardy fans and their families across the county will be able to snuggle down and listen to six new stories read by the award-winning actor - beginning on Monday, April 27 and finishing on Friday, May 1 with the date for a sixth bonus story yet to be confirmed.

All of the stories have been carefully selected to reflect the changes which parents and their offspring have had to make since the spread of the virus brought school and nursery closures and strict social-distancing measures.

Tom, who is reading the stories from his own garden and is accompanied by his French bulldog Blue, will begin with Hug Me by Simone Ciraolo. It is a story about Felipe the young cactus who really needs a hug but his family just isn't the touchy-feely kind so he sets off to find a friend of his own and a hug.

Tom opens the story by saying: “Hello. I’m Tom. Sometimes, on a day like this, I feel strong and happy. But on other days, I just need somebody to give me a hug. Tonight’s bedtime story is all about a little cactus called Felipe, who just wants a hug too."

And in reference to many children's lack of contact with wider family and friends the Peaky Blinders actor finishes by saying: “So, in the end Felipe found someone to hug. It’s not always possible to hug the ones that you love. But they’re always there, in your heart.”

Other stories chosen especially for Tom to read include Under the Same Sky by Robert Vescio and Nicky Johnston about two children on opposite sides of the world who crave friendship and There’s a Tiger in the Garden by Lizzy Stewart about the power of imagination being able to take you anywhere.

Cheryl Taylor, head of content at BBC Children’s, said: “It goes without saying how thrilled we are to have Tom reading more stories for us. It’s during challenging times like this that the BBC serves its purpose to entertain the whole of the UK and these new stories are guaranteed to do just that with their themes of long distance friendship, sharing problems and true courage in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.”

Cbeebies Bedtime Stories is on each weekday at 6.50pm on the Cbeebies channel. It is also available on BBC iPlayer. For more information click here.

For more ideas and suggestions of things the kids can enjoy from home visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk