FYI Tom Hardy is reading another CBeebies bedtime story tonight

Missed out a card for Valentine’s Day? Worried you’ll be staring into the abyss that is the meal-for-one range in Sainsbury’s by evening time? Not to worry, pal – you’ve now got a date with Tom Hardy and his dog.

At 6.50pm tonight, Hardy and his hound will make a glorious return to CBeebies, with the Hollywood actor reading children another bedtime story as only he can. Nicely timed for Valentine’s – when parents around the land leave babysitters in charge and excitable kids who then struggle to get to sleep – we’ve even got a teaser:

Sat on a roof terrace under overcast skies, he’s reading from Tom McLaughlin’s book The Cloudspotter – and we imagine it won’t be long before it hits the New York Times bestseller list.

Tones gravely, stare unwavering, surrounded by stuffed bears, it’s impossible not to give the Hollywood star your full attention as he describes the humble act of cloud spotting as more enjoyable when done with a best friend – in Hardy’s case, his dog.

Last time around, his reading of Simon Philip and Kate Hindley's You Must Bring a Hat back was an absolute barnstormer, racking up thousands of hits on YouTube, and if there’s any justice, his sequel will be the Godfather II of bedtime stories.