Music Stars Jarvis Cocker and Nick Jonas Join CBeebies Bedtime Stories
In a delightful crossover between music and children's entertainment, two celebrated musicians are preparing to captivate young audiences on the beloved CBeebies Bedtime Stories programme. Jarvis Cocker, the iconic frontman of Britpop band Pulp, and Nick Jonas, a member of the globally successful Jonas Brothers, will each read a story, bringing their unique charisma to the popular BBC children's channel.
Jarvis Cocker's Nostalgic Return to Storytelling
Jarvis Cocker, aged 62, will read Wally The World’s Greatest Piano-Playing Wombat, a charming tale authored by Ratha Tep. The story follows Wally, a talented wombat, as he navigates a friendly rivalry with another virtuoso named Wylie. Through this narrative, children are offered gentle lessons on handling competition and discovering personal joy beyond mere victory.
Reflecting on this opportunity, Cocker shared heartfelt memories of reading to his own son. "Reading stories to my son when he was young was one of the great pleasures in my life," he said. "He’s 22 now, a bit old for bedtime stories, so thank you, CBeebies, for inviting me to experience this pleasure once again."
Cocker is widely recognised as the charismatic lead singer of Pulp, celebrated for classic hits such as "Common People," "Disco 2000," and "Do You Remember The First Time?". The band recently released "More," their first album in 24 years, and famously performed under the pseudonym Patchwork at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival. This marked 30 years since their impromptu headline slot in 1995, when they stepped in for The Stone Roses after guitarist John Squire sustained a cycling injury. That pivotal performance, coupled with the release of the album Different Class and the single "Common People," propelled Pulp to nationwide fame.
Nick Jonas Embraces Cultural Heritage Through Storytelling
Meanwhile, Nick Jonas, aged 33, will present The Ballad Of Cactus Joe by Lily Murray. This engaging narrative features a grumpy cactus and a persistent woodpecker who embark on a series of unexpected adventures together. Jonas, who shares a four-year-old daughter with his wife, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas, spoke passionately about the importance of cultural heritage in his family's life.
"We are raising our daughter to embrace all of the culture that is around her, both from India and from the US," Jonas explained. "It’s really exciting for us as parents to think about the things that we love about our cultures, whether its clothing, food or certain traditions that are important to us. Giving her the opportunity to learn about it through books, programmes and spending time with family, where she can really engage and understand where she comes from and her family’s history, has been a really special thing for us as parents."
As a member of The Jonas Brothers, Nick Jonas has achieved significant success, securing one UK top 10 single and four UK top 10 albums. Popular tracks include "Sucker," "SOS," and "Only Human." The trio first gained television exposure on the Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus, before headlining their own series, "Jonas Brothers: Living The Dream," which ran from 2008 to 2010. In 2009, they made their cinematic debut in Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.
Broadcast Details and Prestigious Predecessors
Cocker’s episode is scheduled to air on CBeebies on Friday at 6.50 pm, with Jonas’s following on Saturday at the same time. Both stories will be available on BBC iPlayer after their initial broadcast, allowing families to enjoy them at their convenience.
These two musicians join a distinguished roster of musical luminaries who have previously read for the children's channel. The list includes:
- Sir Elton John
- Harry Styles
- Kylie Minogue
- Billie Eilish
- Jessie J
- The Last Dinner Party frontwoman Abigail Morris
This tradition of featuring renowned artists on CBeebies Bedtime Stories continues to blend entertainment with education, offering children engaging narratives while introducing them to diverse cultural figures from the world of music and beyond.
