A glittering trio of British musical talent has collaborated on the theme song for Channel 4’s much-anticipated adaptation of Judith Kerr’s classic storybook The Tiger Who Came to Tea (HarperCollins Children’s Books).

Multi award-winning composer David Arnold and Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black have penned infectiously catchy tune ‘Hey Tiger!’, which has been recorded for the film by much loved singer-songwriter and entertainer Robbie Williams.

‘Hey Tiger!’ will play over a visually ambitious animated fantasy segment featuring the tiger in a range of never-before-seen locations, imagined from the point of view of Sophie, the little girl who receives an unexpected visit from the tiger.

The music for ‘Hey Tiger!’ and the original score for The Tiger Who Came to Tea, based on the best-selling book by Judith Kerr, have been composed by multi-award-winning composer David Arnold who, among his many credits, has scored five James Bond films and a plethora of films and television shows, including Sherlock.

The song’s lyrics have been composed by Oscar-winning lyricist and BBC R2 DJ, Don Black who incidentally has also provided lyrics for five James Bond films, as well as a number of classic hits, including ‘Born Free’ which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1966. Robbie Williams performs the song with trademark style and personality.

The 18-times Brit Award winner and the UK’s best-selling solo artist, Robbie has hit No. 1 with seven singles and 10 albums, including two swing-influenced releases. The score was recorded and mixed at Air Studios.

Speaking at Sleeper Sounds where the vocals were recorded, Robbie Williams, who is a father of three, said: “This book has played a big part in me bonding with my kids. I’ve read it possibly 150 times to my first daughter, Teddy, and she is the reason I’m singing the song – I’m honouring those moments with her. She loved the book and I got a real heart-warming kick reading a line and her finishing it, so it will be forever in my heart.

Plus I’m a massive fan of Don Black and it’s an honour to be singing the words he’s written. The song reflects the tiger’s wonderful, magical and mischievous character – it’s whimsical and just what a song should be in this film.”

David Arnold, composer, said: “The book is part of the fabric of everyone’s childhood these days and it feels like the film is going to be one of those things people will keep coming back to again and again because it is the book. The music had to be honest and joyful like the film is and I wanted it to feel like I felt when I read that book when I was small, so there’s a slight nostalgia to it. And if there is a human being that knocked on the door and you thought something is going to happen, it could be Robbie – so maybe he’s the tiger!”

Don Black, lyricist, said: “This was a joy to write. It captures a mood of innocence and youth and the delightful tale; it brings a smile and makes you feel young again, if you’re not young already! Robbie is ideal for it because it’s a show song and he’s great with a lyric, he tells a story and he lives a song. It was a dream of David’s and mine for him to sing it and when he agreed I got goosebumps!”

Caroline Hollick, Head of C4 Drama said: “What a coup to have superstar Robbie Williams singing Don Black’s delightful lyrics to David Arnold’s incredibly catchy tune. This fantastic song will make this gorgeous adaptation an unforgettable treat – I can’t wait for everyone to enjoy it.”

Ruth Fielding, producer and co-founder of Lupus Films said: “What a privilege to not only have a score by such a renowned composer as David, but also a theme song with Don’s fabulously fun lyrics. ‘Hey Tiger!’ is such an upbeat swing number which suits Robbie’s voice and personality so well. The song works seamlessly with the animation in the film and it’s been an absolute joy to work with such an incredibly talented trio.”

The soundtrack album of music from The Tiger Who Came to Tea will be released on CD and digital by Sony Music Masterworks. The album will be available on the day the special airs. This is the second time Lupus Films have partnered with Masterworks, having worked previously on the soundtrack album for We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea was commissioned by Caroline Hollick, Channel 4 Head of Drama and Chloe Tucker, Channel 4 Commissioning Executive, Drama. Produced by Lupus Films' founders Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding and executive produced by Ann-Janine Murtagh, Katie Fulford and Mia Jupp at HarperCollins Children’s Books and directed by Robin Shaw (Co-Director - We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Assistant Director - The Snowman and The Snowdog). The book has been adapted for the screen by Joanna Harrison (Co-Director - We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Co-Writer and Art Director - The Snowman and The Snowdog). This new animated special will see a team of artists bring to life Judith Kerr's vivid illustrations in Lupus Films' distinctive, hand-drawn animated style. UPHE Content Group is managing the international TV distribution, home entertainment and theatrical rights to the special.

The Tiger Who Came to Tea has sold over five million copies since it was first published by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 1968. Inspired by Judith Kerr’s daughter Tacy, the story of Sophie and her extraordinary, stripy teatime guest has enchanted generations of children and has become a timeless classic.

//ENDS//

Notes to Editors

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned yet commercially-funded public service broadcaster and has a remit to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Its public ownership and not-for-profit status ensure all profit generated by its commercial activity is directly reinvested back into the delivery of its public service remit. As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 is also required to commission UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with around 300 creative companies across the UK every year. In addition to the main Channel 4 service, its portfolio includes: E4, More4, Film4, 4Music, 4seven, Channel4.com and digital service All 4.

About composer David Arnold
David Arnold is a multi-award-winning British film and television composer. Best known for his work on blockbuster films such as Independence Day, Stargate and Chronicles of Narnia, he also took over the mantle from John Barry to compose the music for five James Bond films (including Casino Royale, for which he was nominated for a Grammy, a BAFTA and won ‘Best Song’ at the World Soundtrack Awards). Other films scores include Godzilla, Shaft, Zoolander, Hot Fuzz and Stepford Wives.

David Arnold’s television work includes Sherlock (Emmy winner for best score with Michael Price) Little Britain, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), Dracula and Good Omens. Over his 20-year career, he has won Grammys, Ivor Novello, International Emmys and Royal Television Society Awards. He was recently twice nominated for an Emmy for the Amazon /BBC production "Good Omens"

In 2012 David Arnold was appointed to the prestigious role of Musical Director for the London Olympics & Paralympics Closing Ceremonies and was also involved in one of the highlights of the Jubilee Thames Flotilla, composing a new arrangement of the ‘James Bond theme’ as HM The Queen passed by the MI6 headquarters.

As well as being a world-renowned score composer, David Arnold is a highly esteemed artist, record producer, songwriter and conductor who has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Queen, The Who, Kate Bush, kd lang, Bjork, Chrissie Hynde, Iggy Pop, George Michael, Massive Attack, the Kaiser Chiefs, Shirley Manson, Shirley Bassey and Sir Paul McCartney.

About Lupus Films
Lupus Films is one of the UK’s foremost producers of high-quality films and television programmes for children and families, set up by Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding in 2002. Their productions have been sold to over 150 countries worldwide and they are known internationally for beautifully crafted animation and stylish film adaptations of classic children's literature. www.lupusfilms.com

About HarperCollins Children’s Books
HarperCollins Children’s Books, unprecedented three times winner of Children’s Publisher of the Year (2014, 2015, 2016) is one of the leading publishers of children’s books, recognised for nurturing new talent as well as boasting a reputable list of established best-selling authors. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality, award-winning books for young readers, HarperCollins is home to many children’s classics, including The Chronicles of Narnia, the Paddington stories, The Cat in the Hat and The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and to some of the biggest names in children’s literature past and present, including David Walliams, Judith Kerr, David Baddiel, Lauren Child, Oliver Jeffers and Michael Morpurgo

About UPHE Content Group
Headquartered in London, UPHE Content Group is a repertoire centre of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, acquiring and producing multi-genre entertainment for distribution across theatrical, home entertainment, television and digital platforms on a worldwide basis. UPHE Content Group is part of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango and DreamWorks Animation Film and Television. UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.