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'Normal People' Star Paul Mescal Is Reading Kids Bedtime Stories And It's Everything

'Normal People' Star Paul Mescal Is Reading Kids Bedtime Stories And It's Everything

We weren't emotionally prepared for this.

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

Mary-Jane Wiltsher

He acts. He sings. He turns silver chains into sex symbols.

And now, Paul Mescal - AKA Connell in the BBC's acclaimed adaptation of Sally Rooney's Normal People - is reading bedtime stories to kids for charity.

We, along the rest of Instagram, weren't emotionally prepared for this.

Posted to his IGTV, the actor's story-time session sees the Irish screen star read David McKee Elmer and Super El, a tale of the friendship between two elephants.

Paul's story reading forms part of the Save With Stories campaign to support child welfare fund Save the Children UK.

The initiative sees celebrities share story readings to raise funds for vulnerable families who are suffering in the coronavirus pandemic.

Taking a seat and chatting to camera, Paul's story begins with the opening lines: "Elmer the patchwork elephant was taking his morning walk when he heard an 'oh no!'...

"Looking round, he spotted a small elephant dressed in an outfit that he recognised."

Paul read David McKee 'Elmer and Super El', a tale of the friendship between two elephants (
Paul Mescal / Instagram)

The story unfolds to see Elmer - the world's most colourful elephant - help smaller elephant Super El when he has a bad day and tears his smart costume on a thorn bush. Aw!

Needless to say, Paul is a great storyteller, chuckling at the elephants' jokes and throwing in plenty of voice variation for good measure.

The Irish accent is a bonus, of course. Swoon.

Fans got very involved.

"I could listen to him all day long," gushed one.

"I'm sorry but my heat is melting," agreed another.

The Save with Stories campaign raises vital funds for vulnerable families who are suffering in the coronavirus pandemic (
Paul Mescal / Instagram)

A third chimed in: "He reads kids' books too - I'm done!"

While a fourth asked: "Weird if I listen to this to help me to sleep?"

Save With Stories was originally led by US celebrities like Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams. Following the huge success of the campaign stateside, a UK version was formed.

Actresses Lily James and Billie Piper, along with singer Paloma Faith, have taken part by sharing their readings.

Meghan Markle got involved, too, reading the story Duck! Rabbit! to son Archie on his first birthday, in a clip filmed by Prince Harry.

Sienna Miller, Cara Delevingne, Eddie Redmayne, Nathalie Emmanuel, Rita Ora and Dominic Cooper are among the other names to have joined the campaign.


Paul captioned his post: "As the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, children's lives are being turned upside down.

By donating to Save with Stories, you can support the most vulnerable families in the UK and around the world."

Funds raised will go towards early learning packs, supermarket vouchers, essential household items and virus protection for the families who need it most.

Want to support the campaign? You can donate to Save the Children by visiting their website. Alternatively, you can text STORIES to 70008 to give a one-off donation of £5.

You'll be billed £5 plus standard rate text message. Save the Children receive 100% of your donation.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram / Paul Mescal

Topics: Normal People, TV and Film, Celebrity News, TV News