James Norton to read CBeebies Bedtime Story on diabetes

Image caption, James Norton was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 22
  • Author, Bonnie McLaren
  • Role, Culture reporter

James Norton is to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story about type 1 diabetes.

The Happy Valley actor, who has the condition, will read How to Manage a Mammoth, a story which aims to help families deal with a diagnosis.

The story encourages children to think of diabetes as an animal, something which will not go away but which they can learn to manage.

It focuses on eight-year-old Jake, who sees his diabetes as an imaginary mammoth called Mel. With the help of his mum and friends, they try to shrink the mammoth so it isn鈥檛 so big.

What is type 1 diabetes?

  • People with the condition have to closely monitor their blood sugar level and take insulin to control it because their body cannot do this automatically
  • That is because insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are mistakenly destroyed by the body's immune system
  • It occurs in children and adults, but the causes are not fully known and there is currently no cure

Norton said that he also thinks of his diabetes like an animal 鈥 and that his is a "big shaggy dog" called Bruce, who is now a "pal".

"When I first got Bruce, he was a puppy. He was difficult to control because he was always overexcited. Now, he's a bit older and calmer,鈥 he said.

"He still gets scared when someone's at the door or he鈥檚 hungry. And then he barks very loudly.

"Or when he gets excited, he still runs around and knocks things over. But generally he strolls along by my side.

"Bruce is my pal. I'm pleased to say that today Bruce is under control and very calm, which makes me feel very happy and relaxed."

Speaking to the 大象传媒 last year, Norton explained how he manages diabetes while he鈥檚 performing, saying he has glucose shots and food hidden on stage to allow him to control his blood sugar levels during long performances.

How To Manage A Mammoth, written by Dr Rose Stewart, and illustrated by Richard Dwyer, was created in collaboration with NHS Wales.

James Norton鈥檚 CBeebies Bedtime Story will air on CBeebies at 6.50pm on Friday 14 June.