Meat Loaf to join cartoon puppy

Meat Loaf recently starred in horror film Urban Decay

Rock singer Meat Loaf is to appear with a drumming puppy in a new cartoon aimed at helping children to read.

The 13-part series, on children's channel CiTV, will see celebrity guests read to Bookaboo, who needs to hear "a story a day or he just can't play".

In the first episode, on 2 March, the Bat Out of Hell singer will read The Lamb Who Came for Dinner.

"You need to have fun with reading and, if it's scary, make them shiver under the covers," Meat Loaf said.

"If it's friendly and happy, make them feel fuzzy and warm."

The rock-star-turned-actor has made a string of movie appearances and acted alongside Brad Pitt in Fight Club.

Other celebrities sharing a story with Bookaboo include comedian Al Murray, former Spice Girl Mel C and Strictly Come Dancing star Alesha Dixon.