Branagh’s festive message from on high

IF YOU spot a bearded man shouting from a rooftop, it might not be Father Christmas. Sir Kenneth Branagh has revealed that he has a tradition of climbing onto the roof of his home and reciting from the Bible for local residents — with those listening giving charity donations. ‘I now start the Christmas Readings, as I call them, in August,’ says the celebrated actor. ‘For me, this time of the year — man of a certain age — the tights and the fluffy white shirt, they’re not as insulated as I would like. ‘It’s a good thing to do. I don’t think it’s self-advertising.’ Sir Ken, 61, has said in the past that he became ‘much more religious’ after listening to Laurence Olivier’s dramatic reading of the Bible every morning at 6am, in preparation for his role playing Larry in the 2011 film My Week With Marilyn.