Coronavirus: Gollum actor Serkis to raise cash by reading entire Hobbit live online

Andy Serkis will give a continuous live reading of The Hobbit online, to raise money for charity. The Gollum actor will read JRR Tolkien's 1937 novel from start to end, breaking only to nip to the loo. Money raised from the 56-year-old's expected 12-hour performance will be split between NHS Charities Together and Best Beginnings. Serkis played the corrupted character, originally known as Smeagol, in the The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. 'So many of us are struggling in isolation during the lockdown,' he said. 'While times are tough, I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written, a 12-hour armchair marathon across Middle Earth whilst raising money for two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need.'