Tiddler star, 8, 'excited' by role in Christmas film

An eight-year-old boy who is due to star in BBC1's much-anticipated Christmas family animation film Tiddler said it was "very exciting" to be involved.

Reuben Kirby, of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, is the voice of the starring fish in the film, which will be screened at 14:35 GMT on Christmas Day.

Tiddler is the latest screen adaption of a book by The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson.

Reuben plays Tiddler, a young blue fish who is always late to school and has a big imagination, and his story will see him go on a big underwater adventure.

Reuben told BBC North West Tonight: "It was very, very exciting.

"Tiddler is kind of a fish version of me."

It is his first professional acting role and he said it was even more special as he is a big Julia Donaldson fan.

Her books are illustrated by Axel Scheffler and last year, the animation of their book Tabby McTat, a heart-warming story of a busker and his cat, had an audience of 8.6m.

Speaking to be BBC from his home, Reuben said: "I read all the books when I was younger, Tiddler being the favourite.

"I loved the film. It was the best Julia Donaldson one I have seen and I have seen all of them."

Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham leads Tiddler's cast as the narrator for the half-hour animated special.

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