CHILDREN certainly had a tale to tell after their school ‘booked’ comic Paddy McGuinness for World Book Day.

Paddy was invited to join the fun at his old school, St Peter and Paul’s RC Primary School and to the pupils’ delight he held a storytime session for the whole school — bringing with him him one of his children’s favourite books, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen.

Paddy, who has visited the school a number of times, said he was thrilled to be invited back to celebrate the day — and described the children’s costumes as fantastic.

He said: “When they asked me to come with it being my old primary school I was really glad and quite honoured and I knew exactly what book they would like because it is so interactive. It was a real pleasure to see them all happy and I really loved it.”

Paddy who says The Gruffalo is one of his favourite characters and counts Harry Potter as one of his favourite books, said: “My children love books as well so we spend a lot of time reading.

“Since the kids came along I read more now and a lot of kids’ books are so well written that you enjoy them yourself as an adult.

“When I was at school they never had a World Book Day and that is what is so great.

“Children have so much more fun than when we were at school.

“My school days were very happy but when you think back to what I had and what they have, it’s amazing.

“I want children not to see reading as a chore and to enjoy it.”

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Chloe Strange, aged 11, said: “I would like him to read to us all the time, he was very energetic.”

Cody Melling, aged 10, added: “I was so excited when I heard he was coming. I wish he could teach at school.”