Nat and Katherine Sciver-Brunt, England cricketers and LGBTQ+ couple, will be the first LGBTQ+ couple to appear on CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories.
As part of Pride Month, the cricketing couple will create history by reading two stories at Trent Bridge cricket ground in Nottingham. The episode will be broadcast on Friday, June 9th.
Find Your Happy by Emily Coxhead is a story about a sloth learning to navigate its emotions.
Nat stated, “It’s crucial to understand that it’s okay to feel differently or not blend in, and that you will discover your comfort zone.
Both have been awarded women’s cricketer of the year in the past.
Katherine continued, “We had a great time. We are thrilled to have participated, particularly as a couple.”
Social media users praised the news, stating that it is “truly wonderful” to see more LGBTQ+ representation in children’s programming.
Others expressed their eagerness to tune in with their offspring to celebrate Pride month.
There was, however, the expected backlash, with some alleging that the BBC was “grooming” children.
In addition to celebrating Pride month, the BBC announced that Britain’s first Hijab-wearing cricketer, Abtaha Maqsood, would recite a series of short stories to celebrate South Asian Heritage month in July.
Maqsood stated, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading a CBeebies bedtime story; it’s unlike anything I’ve ever done before.”
“[The stories] 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.”
Several LGBTQ+ personalities and prominent figures have previously appeared on Bedtime Stories, including Elton John in 2018. The singing superstar read Zoa and Fin Gypsy’s The Dog Detectives: Lost in London.
Will Young made headlines after he read a book about LGBTQ+ parents in a 2019 episode of the program that typically transmits the day’s programming.
Carolyn Robertson’s Two Dads is a narrative about an LGBTQ+ couple adopting a child, and it contains numerous progressive teachings.
The episode was similarly well-received, with many viewers stating that they have read this book to their children multiple times.