Julian Fellowes, creator of Downton Abbey, Belgravia and Gosford Park, has recorded a special version of the festive poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’ for visually impaired children to enjoy this Christmas.

Lord Fellowes is a Vice President of the RNIB as well as President of the RNIB’s Talking Books Library. He was delighted to record the poem, which is a festive favourite of his. He is passionate about ensuring literature is accessible to all visually impaired children living across the UK. 

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Julian just after he had recorded the reading of the poem The Night Before Christmas to find out why he first started supporting the work of the RNIB and what it means to him being a Vice President of the RNIB and President of the RNIB Talking Books Library.  

Toby began by asking Julian when he first came across the poem The Night Before Christmas, whether the poem was a favourite of the Fellowes family and one that he remembered hearing or reading as a child.  

Julian then gave Toby an insight into some of the Fellowes family Christmas traditions, before talking about writing for both film and television and answering that question we all might have as to whether we will see the Crawley family again on the small or big screen.

Lord Fellowes’ reading of The Night Before Christmas is now available on DAISY CD and USB sticks from RNIB’s Talking Books Library or as a download through the RNIB’s Reading Services website - https://readingservices.rnib.org.uk

(Please note that you must be a member of the RNIB’s Talking Books Library and RNIB’s Reading Services to access the recording of the reading.)

Lord Fellowes' reading of The Night Before Christmas will also be broadcast on RNIB Connect Radio during the last hour of the Afternoon Edition show on Friday 22 December between 5pm - 6pm and again on Christmas Eve at 8pm. 

Image shows Toby and Julian, who is holding a red book, stood side by side in front of  the RNIB Connect logo