Tiddler | Preview (BBC One)

The story of Tiddler, a little fish with a big imagination, a new magical animation from the UK’s number one picture book creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, will air on BBC this Christmas. Tiddler is the story of a small grey fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he’s saved by his own storytelling.

The half-hour animated special will be voiced by a stellar cast led by 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.

Every day Tiddler tells a different story to his teacher and his friend Johnny Dory about why he’s late for school.  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.  

 The film is an underwater adventure about the power of imagination and finding confidence in yourself – and how to be content as a little fish in a big ocean.

Author Julia Donaldson says: "Tiddler is all about storytelling and big imaginations - things that are really important to me as a writer. The film captures the heart of the story and brings it to life with a fantastic cast, I'm particularly impressed by the young child actors who take the lead in this adaptation."

Tiddler airs this Christmas on BBC One.