Stormzy becomes latest star to tell nativity story at end of Christmas Day on BBC One when he recites St Luke’s Gospel
- Stormzy, 26, set to be the latest star to tell the nativity story on Christmas Day
- Rapper will recite from St Luke’s Gospel, rounding off BBC’s evening coverage
- On Christmas Night will air at 11.50pm on Wednesday December 25 on BBC One
The Queen could be in for some competition this year when grime star Stormzy delivers a reading from the bible on Christmas Day.
The grime star, 26, will follow in the footsteps of renowned British actors such as Don Warrington and Letitia Wright, who have in previous years recited from Luke’s Gospel to round of the BBC’s Christmas coverage.
Stormzy became the first black British solo star to headline Glastonbury this year and will feature at 11.50pm – meaning he won’t directly rival the Queen’s annual broadcast at 3pm.
The grime star, 26, will recite from Luke’s Gospel on BBC One, following in the footsteps of renowned British actors who have told the story of the first ever Christmas
Stormzy will tell the story of the ‘first ever Christmas when angels appeared to shepherds to proclaim the news of the birth of Jesus’, the BBC said.
Last year, actress Letitia Wright, star of 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, gave her take on the birth of Jesus Christ.
In 2017, actor Don Warrington read an account in Luke’s Gospel of the angels’ proclamation to the shepherds of Christ’s birth.
His reading lead into a musical arrangement by composer Ken Burton of Sweet Little Jesus Boy, and was sung by acclaimed choir, the Adventist Vocal Ensemble.
Stormzy, who became the first black British solo star to headline Glastonbury this year, will round off the BBC’s Christmas coverage at 11.50pm – meaning he won’t directly rival the Queen’s annual broadcast at 3pm
Daisy Scalchi, a BBC commissioning editor, said: ‘Stormzy has consistently celebrated his faith and spirituality through his music and we are hugely excited that he is bringing Christmas day to a close on BBC One with his reading from St Luke’s Gospel.’
Hugh Faupel, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: ‘Every year we look for people to bring the Christmas story alive.
‘This year we are delighted that Stormzy accepted the invitation to retell the timeless story of the first Christmas and hopefully bring it to a new audience.’
Last year, actress Letitia Wright, star of 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, gave her take on the birth of Jesus Christ. In 2016, actor and star of Rising Damp Don Warrington read an account in Luke’s Gospel of the angels’ proclamation to the shepherds of Christ’s birth
Libera, an all-boys choir, will perform the Basque carol Sing Lullaby in the programme.
The choir features singers aged between seven and 16 who attend local schools in South London.
Stormzy was the first black British solo artist to headline Glastonbury earlier this year. He recently released his second album, Heavy Is The Head.
On Christmas Night will air at 11.50pm on Wednesday December 25 on BBC One.