Ross Kemp Swaps Soap Squabbles for Storytime on CBeebies
Here’s a twist nobody asked for but everyone can get behind: Ross Kemp, usually seen throwing punches or delivering stern looks as Grant Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders, has plopped himself right in the middle of the CBeebies Bedtime Story lineup. This isn’t just another celebrity spot—his story segment marks a neat tie-in as EastEnders hits its wild 40th anniversary. Kemp’s story pick, The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright and Jim Field, isn’t just about bushy tails and acorns; it’s all about rivalry, grudges, and—eventually—figuring out the better way forward.
The choice fits Kemp’s screen persona with a sly wink to fans. The book follows Cyril and Bruce, a pair of stubborn squirrels so obsessed with snagging the last nut that they forget all about having fun or helping each other out. Kemp couldn’t resist drawing a parallel: his own run-ins as Grant with on-screen brother Phil (Steve McFadden) became EastEnders legend, especially that time Grant blew up at Phil for sleeping with his wife.
If you’re getting déjà vu, you’re not alone. Kids tuning in might not clock the soap references, but watching Kemp read about bickering squirrels while sitting in Walford’s iconic Bridge Street Cafe is one for parents and fans. It’s a clever move, as CBeebies has built its bedtime reputation by pulling in big names—Olivia Colman, Tom Hardy, and Idris Elba all took up the reading chair before Kemp.
Walford’s Drama Meets CBeebies’ Calm
The segment hasn’t just pulled in Kemp for the sake of a cameo. It’s part of EastEnders’ big birthday bash, and filming on the actual set gives everything a cozy, familiar backdrop. The production team transformed the Bridge Street Cafe from its usual setting for showdowns or heart-to-hearts into a place for gentle bedtime stories. Maybe that’s what the Square really needs after all those decades of drama.
For Kemp, this marks his first appearance on CBeebies, a platform that now finds itself rubbing shoulders with soap opera royalty. He last popped up in EastEnders in 2016 for the epic ‘Who Killed Lucy Beale?’ storyline, but his voice and dry humor are unmistakable. The story airs at 6:50 PM—a classic bedtime slot for children and, let’s be honest, more than a few nostalgic parents tuning in just to see Grant turn pages instead of tables.
There’s also a smart reminder behind the fun. Kids will see two squirrels figure out it’s better to share than to fight. Older viewers might think of Grant and Phil finally putting aside their war for family. Either way, there’s a real charm in watching a tough-guy actor show his soft side for bedtime, letting everyone know it’s okay to disagree but it’s way better when you sort things out together.
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