James Norton is the latest celebrity to take on the iconic CBeebies Bedtime Story. Harry Styles , Dolly Parton , Catherine, Princess of Wales , and Tom Hardy have previously taken on the job , and now it’s the Happy Valley actor’s turn. The 38-year-old has a personal connection to his book choice – the story aims to educate young children about diabetes, which James was diagnosed with 16 years ago.
How to Manage a Mammoth, which was written by Dr Rose Stewart, illustrated by Richard Dwyer and created in collaboration with NHS Wales, asks readers to think of diabetes like an animal, in that it is something that won’t go away but they can learn to accept and manage it. Ahead of his episode of CBeebies Bedtime Stories airing, James told the BBC : ‘My diabetes animal is a big shaggy dog called Bruce. When I first got Bruce, he was a puppy.
He was difficult to control because he was always overexcited. Now, he’s a bit older and calmer. ‘He still gets scared when someone’s at the door or he’s hungry.
And then he barks very loudly. Or when he gets excited, he still runs around and knocks things over. But generally he strolls along by my side.
Bruce is my pal,’ James continued. ‘I’m pleased to say that today Bruce is under control and very calm, which makes me feel very happy and relaxed.’ Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.
There are two main types – type one diabetes, which James has, is described as a l.
