A new children’s book written by One Direction and a host of their A-list celebrity friends is set to pull in millions for BBC Children in Need next week.
For the first time, some of the most famous names in music, sport and showbiz have got together to write a one-of-a-kind story for the annual charity. And here we’ve got a sneak preview of the book for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MegQkLB9Auc
The Curious Tale of Fi-Rex, the enchanting story of a little girl who is half-human half- dinosaur, has been writen by 25 celebrities including Harry Styles etc, Sir Paul McCartney, Denise van Outen, Coleen and Wayne Rooney, Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster and Kylie Minogue.
Each celeb was asked to write one page, but they were only allowed to see the last line of the previous page. The results were hilarious and saw each star taking Fi Rex on a roller coaster of a ride through their imaginations.
Every one of the famous authors leaves an imprint of their personality on the page, sometimes without them even knowing it.
Kate Moss said: “I adored doing a children’s book, it was something completely different to anything I have done before.”
Mother-of-one Kate, 41, teamed up to write her page with friends X Factor judge Nick Grimshaw and socialite Annabelle Nielson.
Kate added: "It was cool being part of a story with people such as Sir Paul, Harry, Annabelle and Grimmers. Mine was only a section, but I could have quite happily written the whole thing. I wrote it late at night sat at home and got carried away with it actually.”
Nick said: “People are saying I’m the new J K Rowling or Oldham’s very own Shakespeare! ...You can buy this now and the money goes to Children in Need….It’s quite beautiful.”
One Direction have just finished touring but managed to take the time while writing their new album to create their chapter of the story. They team up with Sir Paul McCartney who resurrects the famous Frog Chorus characters from his 1983 hit We All Stand Together, while the 1D boys appear as a frog band – called Pond Direction.
Speaking about 1D’s involvement, Niall Horan said: "Children In Need is such an amazing charity, so we were really happy to get involved in this book. We hope our fans enjoy reading about our adventures as a band of frogs called Pond Direction."
Kylie added: "I loved the idea of being part of this children's book and I hope it raises awareness and funds for a very worthy cause."
Denise Van Outen said: “I was filming EastEnders at the time and would write some of the page in between scenes on the set of Albert Square. It was quite funny coming up with this cute little half-girl half-dinosaur tale whilst Phil Mitchell was rehearsing in the background.”
“I was told who the main character was and I was shown the last sentence of Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s part of the story, and I had to carry it on in my style.”
On her page, Fi-Rex rips open an envelope and is presented with a piece of golden paper with a riddle written on it.
Denise added: “The idea of reading my daughter Betsy a story at night that I wrote part of is very special. I was excited to be involved. I am having my part of the story which has been illustrated so beautifully framed and put up in Betsy’s room.”
Amanda Holden said: "I love reading bedtime stories to my two girls and the idea of writing a story like the game of consequences seemed like a brilliant idea.
I wanted my section to include all the things children traditionally love to get their imaginations going, rainbow colours, sweeties and a little bit of magic! And doing this for BBC Children in Need which is a fantastic cause was another great reason to get involved.”
All the profits go to charity. To support BBC Children in Need and buy your copy click here.
Bringing the wacky yarn to life is renowned artist Julia Patton, who is known for some of the country’s best loved illustrations and came up with her drawings in a rustic woodshed in the middle of field in Northumberland.
Thousands of pounds were recently raised in a Bonhams auction of the stars’ pages at The Library, London, and now people can bid for signed copies themselves here.
The online auction includes the remaining eight signed pages, also featuring Take That, and will run until Children in Need night, Friday, November 13.
For a chance to take home the unique signed print, visit Fi Rex auctions and place your bid…
The Curious Tale of Fi-Rex is available from all good retailers.
