The Tiddler: what time is Julia Donaldson adaptation on BBC1 - how to watch

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What a treat for families on Christmas Day 🐟
  • Julia Donaldson’s The Tiddler gets a Christmas adaptation.
  • It is the latest work of the beloved author to get the festive treatment.
  • The Tiddler features an all-star cast of voice actors.

Families are in for an extra special treat this Christmas. The annual festive animation this afternoon will be The Tiddler by Julia Donaldson.

The picture book has been a favourite since its publication in 2007. Like many of the beloved author’s other works, it was illustrated by Axel Scheffer.

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The BBC has also announced an all-star cast for the Christmas special. Here’s all you need to know:

What time is The Tiddler on BBC?

The animated special will air at the perfect time for families this Christmas. It is scheduled to start at 2.35pm on BBC One today (December 25).

It is scheduled to last for 25 minutes and will finish at 3pm. So you don’t have to worry about it dragging on and your kids’ attention drifting.

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The Tiddler.The Tiddler.
The Tiddler. | BBC

When is The Tiddler repeated?

The BBC has confirmed that it will re-air The Tiddler multiple times on Boxing Day - including one spot for all the early birds. It will be on BBC2 at 6.05am on December 26.

It will also repeat at 1.25pm on BBC1 on Boxing Day. Giving you three chances to catch it on the TV.

But if you can’t watch it live, it will also be available on iPlayer afterwards.

What is The Tiddler about?

Tiddler is the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean until he’s saved by his own storytelling. Every day he tells a different story to his teacher and his friend Johnny Dory about why he’s late for school.

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His stories stretch from riding on seahorses or swimming around a shipwreck to being captured by a squid! His stories are so great that word of mouth helps them travel through the ocean and so, when Tiddler gets lost, he realises they may help him find a way home.

Who is in the cast for The Tiddler?

The Tiddler features an all-star voice cast including Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Saltburn) as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams (Ruby Speaking, Alma’s Not Normal) as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) - returning for his twelfth Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation - in the multiple voice roles of Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy. Tiddler will also feature the voices of child actors Reuben Kirby in the title role, and Theo Fraser as Johnny Dory.

What are you most excited to watch on the TV this Christmas? Let me know your picks by email: [email protected].

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