Richmond's tough-guy actor Tom Hardy, who plays the American gangster Al Capone in his latest movie, is showing a softer side to his image by reading bedtime stories to kids next week.

He will be appearing on the CBeebies network with a "selection of brand new stories to settle the nation's children down before they make their weary way to bed."

Tom, 42, a father of three, who is an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust and holder of the CBE, first appeared on the programme in 2016 and at the end of December 2019 his Bedtime Stories were requested over ONE MILLION times on the BBC's iPlayer, making him the most popular reader ever.

The BBC says the actor, whose other film credits include Bronson, the story of hard man prisoner Charles Bronson, Warrior, Dunkirk and playing both the notorious Kray twins in Legend "wanted to play a part in keeping the children of the UK entertained at this challenging time."

Starting next Monday, April 27th at 6.50pm he will read a story for six evenings in a row. All of his readings were filmed in his Richmond garden with his French bulldog Blue and abiding by the government's 'social distancing' rules.

His first story will be Hug Me by Simone Ciraolo about Felipe the young cactus who really needs a hug but his family just isn't the touchy-feely type so he sets off to find a friend of his own—and a hug.

Tom opens the story by saying: "Hello. I'm Tom. Sometimes, on a day like this, I feel strong and happy. But on other days, I just need somebody to give me a hug. Tonight's bedtime story is all about a little cactus called Felipe, who just wants a hug too."

He concludes the story by reassuring viewers: "So, in the end Felipe found someone to hug. It's not always possible to hug the ones that you love. But they're always there, in your heart."

He will also read:

Under The Same Sky by Robert Vescio and Nicky Johnston (Tuesday April 28). "About two children on opposite sides of the world who crave friendship. Is it possible to be friends across the miles?"

There's A Tiger In The Garden by Lizzy Stewart (Wednesday April 29). "About the power of imagination being able to take you anywhere, even for Nora who doesn't believe her Grandma when she says she's seen a tiger in the garden."

Don't Worry, Little Crab by Chris Haughton. "About mustering the courage to try something new and how saying: 'Don't worry, I'm here' can help tentative little crabs discover the brilliant worlds that await when they take the plunge."

The Problem With Problems by Rachel Rooney and Zehra Hicks (Friday May 1). "The bold, humorous and insightful story about how to deal with problems."

Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content, BBC Children's, says: "It goes without saying how thrilled we are to have Tom reading more stories for us.

"It's during challenging times like this that the BBC serves its purpose to entertain the whole of the UK and these new stories are guaranteed to do just that with their themes of long distance friendship, sharing problems and true courage in overcoming seemingly impossible challenges."

Read all about Tom's bedtime stories