Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey to appear on CBeebies Bedtime Story tonight
Jonathan Bailey is reading Room on the Broom for CBeebies Bedtime Story. (BBC)
Jonathan Bailey is reading Room on the Broom for CBeebies Bedtime Story. (BBC)
After dropping by Sesame Street, Wicked’s Jonathan Bailey will bring some magic to the bedtime routine with a reading of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic Room on the Broom for CBeebies Bedtime Story.
Get cosy for the gay Bridgerton actor’s reading that’ll be broadcast on Friday (21 November) from 6:45pm.
“This is the best thing ever, I am serious,” one fan declared in response to the announcement.
CBeebies Bedtime Story is aimed at families to encourage reading as part of the bedtime routine. The Sexiest Man Alive is not the first high-profile queer guest on the show; he follows in the footsteps of Elton John, Will Young and Idles singer Joe Talbot.
Though aimed at children, we’re sure Bailey’s soft, dulcet tones will also inevitably be a sleep aid to many.
Bailey’s picked a classic tale of a witch and her cat’s adventures that celebrate teamwork, courage, and the joy of helping others. Not dissimilar from Wicked: For Good, in which Bailey plays Captain of the Wizard’s Guard Fiyero.
‘I never turn down adding a little sparkle to a performance!’
The film follows on from 2024’s Wicked, which adapted the first half of the Broadway musical of the same name. It also stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba/The Wicked Witch of the West, and Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good.
Speaking about his CBeebies appearance, Bailey shared: “Reading Room on the Broom felt properly magical. It’s one of those stories that casts a spell on you the moment you open the book.”
He also noted Donaldson’s writing resonates: “The message about kindness and coming together is pure gold.”
Bailey also shared that the story is one of his nieces’ and nephews’ favourites. “They love when Uncle Jonathan steps in to do the voices, and I never turn down adding a little sparkle to a performance!
“The story reminds us how important it is to have a good team around you, even if they arrive in unexpected, broom-crowding ways. I hope children (and grown-ups!) feel the magic too.”
This appearance comes soon after Bailey made his Sesame Street debut. On the show, he shared the stage with gay muppets Bert and Ernie.
Bailey has recently said that he now intends to spend some time away from acting. He wants to focus on his LGBTQ+ charity, The Shameless Fund, although he doesn’t expect to be away from the screen for too long.
