Will Young to read CBeebies Bedtime Story about LGBT parents
Performer Will Young came out in 2002 (John Phillips/Getty)
Performer Will Young will appear on BBC children’s channel CBeebies to read a book about LGBT+ parents.
CBeebies announced on February 1, the beginning of LGBT History Month in the UK, that Young will be a guest on the Bedtime Stories programme. The show airs every evening at 6.50pm, featuring a celebrity reading a children’s book.
Young is scheduled to appear on the show on February 9, reading the book Two Dads. The story is about LGBT parents adopting a child and is written by Carolyn Robertson and illustrated by Sophie Humphreys.
“Over the moon our book is going to be read on CBeebies bedtime stories next Saturday. Awesome book, Awesome subject.”
— Sophie Humphreys
“Many families are different, this family has two dads. Will Young is reading a beautiful #BedtimeStory on 9th Feb,” Cbeebies wrote in a tweet.
Twitter users welcome news of Will Young reading book about LGBT+ parents
The tweet announcing Young’s appearance and the choice of book about LGBT+ parents was met with widespread enthusiasm.
“This is such an Important issue.. that and those with absent parents.. it’s important our children know all families are different and all are perfect..” one person tweeted in response.
Another person commented: “We LOVE this book. Can’t wait.”
And yet another Twitter user rejoiced at the overall positive reactions, writing: “Omg!!!! I came here expecting to have a fight on my hands!! I’m overjoyed that all the responses so far have been positive!!! My heart swells with pride.”
Will Young will read “Two Dads” on CBeebies. (CbeebiesHQ/Twitter)
Two Dads author Robertson and illustrator Humphreys also celebrated the news.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this! As a mum of three I’ve been a passionate CBeebies supporter for years so this is basically the holy grail for me!” Humphreys wrote in a tweet reacting to the news.
She added in a separate post: “Over the moon our book is going to be read on CBeebies bedtime stories next Saturday. Awesome book, Awesome subject. Can’t wait!!”
“This is so fantastic & affirming to see #adopted & #lgbtfamily represented on mainstream TV,” wrote Robertson.
Will Young is an advocate for LGBT rights
Ever since coming out as gay in 2002, Young has been an outspoken advocate of LGBT+ rights and mental health—topics he regularly tackles in his podcast Homo Sapiens, co-hosted with director Chris Sweeney.
The Pop Idol winner recently condemned Amazon show The Grand Tour for being “f**king pathetic and actually homophobic.”
Young wrote a string of tweets reacting to an episode aired on January 27, in which host Jeremy Clarkson ridiculed the LGBT+ acronym and co-host Richard Hammond used stereotypes repeatedly alluding to the idea that Clarkson driving a Jeep Wrangler means he’s gay.
Young wrote: “It’s insulting and they can’t rest on laurels of ‘oh we are just politically incorrect.’ It’s sad and shaming, bigoted and for f**k’s sake grow up. How dare they stereotype gay men.”
