Craig's Fright Night

Scary Fairy poem to debut on Radio 2 over Halloween.

16 October, 2015

Long before he became the sitcom actor, presenter, comedian, soap star and radio DJ we know and love, Craig Charles' first calling was as a poet. It was in this guise that he was first spotted on TV shows such as Saturday Live, Pebble Mill and Wogan, which ultimately led to his being given the opportunity to move into acting, with Red Dwarf.

But while he hasn't had as much of a chance to indulge it over the last couple of decades, poetry remains one of Craig's foremost passions - and now, with a little more free time on his hands since leaving Coronation Street (and before filming of Red Dwarf XI kicks in), he's bringing one of his longest-burning compositions to BBC Radio 2.

On Friday 30th October at 8.00pm, Radio 2 will be broadcasting Witches, Wizards and Scary Fairies as part of its Friday Night is Music Night strand featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra. And this very special Halloween-themed episode will include the world premiere of Scary Fairy, a dark fairytale-themed narrative poem that Craig has been working on for several years.

The poem is described as "a revamp of Little Red Riding Hood, with added blood and guts for good measure", and "features names and fables that will be familiar from the fairy tales of your childhood - but told through the eyes of a character you didn't even realise was there - Scary Fairy!" The poem began life as a bedtime story told by Craig to his young children, and he's relished making it darker as they've grown up.

Craig's reading will be accompanied by a 40-minute musical score, courtesy of composer Iain Farrington and the BBC Philharmonic, and will be able to be heard in the second half of the two-hour long show. BBC Radio 2 is available on 88-91FM, on digital DAB and online - and if you miss the original broadcast, it should be available on the iPlayer for a while afterwards!

Find out more about Scary Fairy and Friday Night Is Music Night at the BBC Radio 2 website!