Frank Cottrell-Boyce: ‘I don’t have that burning evangelical thing. Faith is just part of me’

The Waterstone’s children’s laureate finds it “depressing” that it’s easier to get a book published on Norse mythology than the story of Christ. He speaks to us about normalising faith, telling hopeful stories and why he no longer apologises for being a Christian

Whether he’s creating sporting spectacles or plotting soap operas, amusing children or challenging believers, Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an extraordinary storyteller.

The 65-year-old’s work is informed by and, on occasion, infused with biblical stories. There are saints in his children’s book Millions (Pan Macmillan) and hymns and Christian imagery aplenty in his critically acclaimed London 2012 Olympic ceremony. His latest screenplay, the animated film version of Michael Morpurgo’s Kensuke’s Kingdom (Heinemann) features a Christ figure and a story of redemption.