On Friday night, England women’s cricketers Nat and Katherine Sciver-Brunt became the first LGBTQ+ pair to feature on CBeebies Bedtime Stories, providing absolutely wholesome entertainment for children.
During Pride Month, the athletes will tell two books, the first of which is Emily Coxhead’s uplifting novel Find Your joyful, which follows a sloth who educates young readers what to do if they are experiencing tough feelings and the delight of being joyful.
They appeared on the children’s show from Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, which will host the first Women’s Ashes match as well as the third year of The Hundred later this year.
Nat stated that she wants to have used her “expressive face” in the special episode, which will premiere on June 9.
‘It’s really important to know that it is ok to feel different things or not fit in and to know that you will find your comfort zone”’ she said.
‘Becoming a CBeebies Bedtime Story reader is such an elite list to be joining and it’s such a special thing for us to be doing in Pride Month.’
Katherine added: ‘We had a lot of fun. We’re delighted to have been a part of it, especially as a couple and representing the cricket family.
‘It’s really nice to be able to do something so different and hopefully, our nieces and nephews will enjoy watching us read a CBeebies Bedtime Story.’
Nat, 30, and Katherine, 37, married in May 2022 after postponing their planned 2020 wedding due to the epidemic.
They did not immediately use their married name in cricket, but in January 2023, they chose to use their new surname, Sciver-Brunt.
In addition, Scottish cricketer Abtaha Maqsood, the first woman to compete in The Hundred while wearing a Hijab, will tell a narrative from Trent Bridge, which will air on July 14.
To commemorate South Asian Heritage Month, she will read two stories for the performance, including Not Now, Noor! by Farhana Islam and Nabila Adani.
It follows Noor, who is interested about why the ladies in her family wear headscarves.
Maqsood said: ‘I absolutely loved reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story, it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before and I’m really excited to see it come to life.
‘Both the stories I read are a great reminder that you can be whoever you want to be, no matter who you are, what religion you follow or what you choose to wear.’
Indeed, the list of celebrities who have previously read CBeebies Bedtime Stories is lengthy, particularly in the sports world.
Former rugby league player Rob Burrow, England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane, ex-track and field athlete Jessica Ennis-Hill, boxer Anthony Joshua, and England footballer Leah Williamson are among those who have read the book.
Rose Ayling Ellis, Tom Hardy, Dolly Parton, Harry Styles, and Kate Winslet have all featured on the daily slot.
CBeebies Bedtime Story is on each weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.
