Craig Charles returns with Scary Fairy for BBC Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night

He’s teaming up with BBC Radio 2,
And Salford’s BBC Philharmonic who,
Will once again assemble a musical story from the world of Scary Fairy,
Written by the actor and presenter, who will perform the spooky commentary.

Presenting among some enchanting graphics,
Louise Minchin will open the concert with a feast of orchestral classics.
Craig will then take to the stage with conductor Clark Rundell,
To tell this chilling version of Hansel and Gretel,
As the BBC Phil performs the hair-raising composition,
Composed by world-renowned Iain Farrington.

Recorded in the orchestra’s studio in Salford,
BBC Radio 2 on 6 January is where it can be heard.
Friday Night is Music Night,
But this time be prepared for a fright.

He’s best known for his roles in Red Dwarf and Coronation Street,
And for his Saturday evening Funk and Soul show on BBC Radio 6,
But throw a little bit of dark poetry into the mix,
And you can expect the classic fairy-tale recipe with something of a Craig Charles twist.

Trust us when we say it; this is not one to be missed.

BC

Notes to Editors

Craig Charles’ Scary Fairy: Hansel and Gretel will be recorded on 20 December at the BBC Philharmonic studio in Salford.

Scary Fairy poet, Craig Charles, says: “It’s a fairy tale for children of all ages. As for the first time we lift the lid on what really happened in the dark woods all those years ago. Hansel and Gretel will make you sleep with the light on and check under your bed for years to come”.

BBC Philharmonic General Manager, Simon Webb, says: “Following the success of Craig’s first Scary Fairy collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic (Little Red Riding Hood for Hallowe’en last year) I anticipate this performance being a highlight of our year.

“Our regular work across the full range of BBC radio stations allows us to perform with people who are not necessarily associated with orchestras and orchestral music, and these unlikely partnerships have become a hallmark of the BBC Philharmonic, and the collaborative nature of our home in BBC North.”

Craig Charles

Craig’s career began at the age of 12 when he won the Guardian Poetry Award. He shot to fame in the 1990s as Dave Lister in BBC Two’s popular sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf, and left Coronation Street after 10 years on the ITV soap.

Craig presents the Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on 6 Music every Saturday from 6-9pm and Craig Charles’ House Party on Radio 2 every Saturday at 10pm – 12 midnight.

Craig is also presenting on Radio 2 from Monday 26 December to Friday 30 December and Bank Holiday Monday 2 January from 2-5pm.

Iain Farrington

Iain Farrington studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London and at Cambridge University. He performed piano alongside Mr Bean at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, and has written many works for TV shows including Horrible Histories, Wallace and Gromit and the new theme tune for Teletubbies.

BBC Philharmonic

The BBC Philharmonic is based in Salford, performing all over Greater Manchester and the North of England as well as appearing every year at the BBC Proms in London. The orchestra can mainly be heard on its home network of BBC Radio 3, but regularly shows off its love of all styles of music by working with all the BBC stations.