Zayn Malik has been announced as the latest famous face to settle down and read a children’s book about CBeebies bedtime stories.
The 31-year-old singer reads Music Is In Everything by actor and singer Ziggy Marley, the son of reggae musician Bob Marley.
The picture book, illustrated by Ag Jatkowska, is an ode to power and song.
The former One Direction star revealed he chose the book because he sings to his daughter at night and reads to her before she goes to sleep.
Zayn said, “I chose this book because I love Bob Marley, and because music and reading are both important to me as a parent.
Zayn Malik has been announced as the latest famous face to settle down and read a children’s book about CBeebies bedtime stories
The 31-year-old singer reads Music Is In Everything by actor and singer Ziggy Marley, the son of reggae musician Bob Marley
‘I sing to my daughter at night when she goes to sleep and I also read to her at bedtime.
“I think this will be something really cool to show her, so I’m ready to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story.”
Zayn and ex-girlfriend, American model Gigi Hadid, 29, welcomed their daughter Khai in September 2020.
He joins his former bandmate Harry Styles, among others, by performing in the popular children’s evening program.
Fans were quick to point out that it’s been ‘almost two years’ since the As It Was singer appeared on CBeebies in his spotted pajamas to read In Every House, In Every Street by Jess Hitchman.
‘Bedtime stories with Zarry!!! Exactly 2 years apart. Zayn actually reads a bedtime story on Harry’s 2 year anniversary doing the same. Sweet.’
‘Zayn to be seen in BBC’s CBeebies Bedtime Stories? Zayn is going to read us a bedtime story? In his beautiful accent? Omg, little kids will love it. It’s me, I’m little children’.
‘OMG, first Harry and now Zayn. My first heart can’t handle this’.
The former One Direction star revealed he chose the book because he sings to his daughter at night and reads to her before she goes to sleep
Zayn said: ‘I chose this book because music and reading are both important to me as a parent. I sing to my daughter at night when she goes to sleep and I also read to her at bedtime.”
“I feel like this is something really cool to show her so I’m ready to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story,” Zayn added
Zayn and ex-girlfriend American model Gigi Hadid, 29, welcomed their daughter Khai in September 2020 – photo 2016
Other musicians, including Dolly Parton, Sir Elton John and Ed Sheeran, have all taken part in the programme.
It comes after Zayn brought fans to tears as he performed his first ever solo performance in London on Friday night, nine years after leaving One Direction.
The star took to the stage at Shepherd’s Bush Empire just hours after releasing his highly anticipated fourth album Room Under The Stairs.
Fans called his new album a ‘masterpiece’ and admitted they could cry from how proud they were after seeing the singer at his sold-out performance.
Zayn sang live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire for the first time – nine years after leaving the famous boy band.
Impressed by the singer’s set, fans flocked to X to praise the Pillowtalk hitmaker.
One wrote: ‘Zayn really killed it tonight!!!!! The singing! the images! the atmosphere!’, while others wrote: ‘It was absolutely the best night of my life. Thanks Zayn. Thank you for always growing and showing us that if we can dream it, we can have it. So proud that you smashed it’
“I’m so happy, I can’t put into words how proud I am of Zayn. he literally deserves it all. the show was great, it felt so short because we just wanted to stay there with him. the atmosphere was great, i love zquad so much! you are all the best there is’
He joins his former bandmate Harry Styles, among others, by performing in the popular children’s evening program
Fans were quick to point out that it’s been ‘almost two years’ since the As It Was singer appeared on CBeebies, dressed in his spotted pajamas, to read In Every House, In Every Street.
Other musicians including Dolly Parton, Sir Elton John and Ed Sheeran have all also taken part in the programme
Zayn will appear in CBeebies Bedtime Story on Wednesday, May 22
‘big thanks to AVA for this beautiful idea. I watched your concert in London through my phone and I felt everything as if I was there. You were beyond amazing. You killed it. You’re back. Never doubt yourself. Sing with your heart. We will listen.’
“I want everyone who meets Zayn tomorrow to tell him how proud they are and that he did an absolutely amazing job today. Please?’
Zayn performed a selection of songs from the new record after the world premiere of the documentary Road Back To The Mic.
The collection was his first since 2021’s Nobody Is Listening, and he has suggested it will be his most personal yet.
He said: ‘This is my favorite album I’ve made so far, mainly because it comes from pure honesty and vulnerability.
“I wanted each song to feel like I was the only one sitting next to you, telling you how I feel, singing directly to you.
“It’s raw and stripped and the kind of music I always hoped to make.”
He admitted that his more introspective nature at the time contributed to the direction his music took, and it was important that it was released as a whole album rather than just individual songs.
He explained, “I think being in that moment, staying away from things and living with my own thoughts, inspired me to want to write something from that place.
“I have to release this as a whole, it’s something for myself, not even just for the world.”
It comes after Zayn brought fans to tears as he performed his first ever solo performance in London on Friday night, nine years after leaving One Direction.
Zayn rose to fame on the X Factor in 2010 alongside bandmates (L-R) Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Zayn and Niall Horan (pictured 2012) before quitting in March 2015
Fans called his new album a ‘masterpiece’ and admitted they could cry from how proud they are of the singer’s sold-out solo performance
Impressed by the singer’s set, fans flocked to X to share how ‘proud’ they are as fans
Zayn co-produced the album with Dave Cobb – known for his work with Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell and Chris Stapleton – and he is pleased with the results of their collaboration.
He added: “Working with Dave Cobb was a great experience. The way he has taken the music to the next level is unparalleled, and he has done a fantastic job helping me make this record.”
Zayn has been writing and creating his new album for the past six years and it is said to be his most personal release yet.
It reflected where he is in life, as he explored the complexities of healing, silence and growth.
It also saw the genre-bending artist explore a new sound, leaning on his soulful vocals, live instrumentation and poetic lyricism as a songwriter.
The release is accompanied by the official video for ‘Stardust’, directed by Frank and Ivanna Borin. The visual brings the lyrics to life as we follow the singer on an exploration of memory and mystery, guided by shooting stars.
Through the metaphor of a celestial being stranded on Earth, his journey reflects themes of identity, vulnerability and the search for home, ultimately ascending to join the stars.
CBeebies Bedtime Story can be seen every weekday at 6.50pm on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer.