STORMZY WILL bring to a close BBC One’s Christmas Day programming by reciting a Bible reading.

The rapper will read a passage from Luke’s Gospel, telling the story of the first Christmas.

The 26-year-old, whose real name is Michael Omari, released his second album, Heavy is the Head, last Friday, the follow up to his debut, Gang Signs & Prayer.

He regularly speaks out about his Christian faith, draws on it for inspiration for his music and publicly thanks God for his success.

In a recent visit to his old primary school, he revealed that Blinded By Your Grace Pt 2 was his favourite song from his first album. It features Stormzy singing the lyrics: “Lord, I’ve been broken, although I’m not worthy, you fixed me, I’m blinded by your grace. You came and saved me.”

Daisy Scalchi, commissioning editor, specialist factual, said: “Stormzy has consistently celebrated his faith and spirituality through his music and we are hugely excited that he is bringing Christmas day to a close on BBC One with his reading from St Luke’s Gospel.”

Hugh Faupel, executive producer, BBC Studios, said they hoped Stormzy would bring the story of Christmas to a new audience.

Faupel said: “Every year we look for people to bring the Christmas story alive. This year we are delighted that Stormzy accepted the invitation to retell the timeless story of the first Christmas and hopefully bring it to a new audience.”

BBC One’s On Christmas Night programme will also feature internationally acclaimed boys’ choir Libera. They will follow Stormzy’s reading with a performance of the Basque carol Sing Lullaby. The choir features singers aged between seven and 16 from a variety of backgrounds who attend local schools throughout south London.

On Christmas Night will air at 11.50pm on Wednesday December 25 on BBC One.