A comedian and children’s television personality has been named as Wales’s first “reading hero” as part of a drive to improve literacy among children.

Chris Corcoran, a former teacher, has become a household name to children across the UK through his appearances on BBC pre-school Cbeebies programme Doodle Do.

Leighton Andrews, education minister, made the announcement at a conference at the University of Wales Newport last week, during which Mr Corcoran ran sessions with teachers about his own experiences in education and his passion for reading. The announcement is a key part of the Assembly government’s National Literacy Plan, to foster a passion for reading from an early age. DE.