His former co-star “Doctor Who”, Jodie Whittakertakes on the role of narrator in the animated film “Tabby McTat”, which will be broadcast at Christmas on the BBC.

The film is based on the children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Schaefer. Whittaker is joined in the film by Rob Brydon as Fred and Sope Dirisoo as Tubby McTat.

The animated film sees busker Fred and his cat Tabby enjoying life singing to audiences on the streets of London before tragedy strikes.

In the story Fred breaks his leg while chasing a thief and his cat is left alone.

“I loved playing music on the street with my husband, Malcolm, when we lived in Bristol and also in Paris,” said Julia Donaldson. “Also, we both love cats – in fact, we just got two new kittens called Tabitha and McTat,” she explained.

“So this story is very much loved and combines two of my passions: singing and cats,” added the English author.