Idris Elba has recorded a moving new coronavirus PSA for the BBC.
In the 90-second clip, which was read on the BBC News on Friday (April 10), Elba recites Don’t Quit, a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier as part of a larger message of the same name.
Elba’s reading of the poem is set against footage of the UK’s battle against Covid-19, featuring empty supermarket shelves, closed businesses and the applause given to NHS workers every Thursday.
“When things go wrong as they sometimes will; when the road you’re trudging seems all uphill; when the funds are low but the debts are high; when you want to smile but you have to sigh; when care is pressing you down a bit, rest if you must but don’t you quit,” the poem reads.
A message from all of us, to all of you. Together we’ll get through.
‘Don’t Quit’ read by @IdrisElba
More info > https://t.co/YhBpyb65Bh pic.twitter.com/zDPEDV3miW
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) April 10, 2020
The message continues: “Life is strange with its twists and turns, as every one of us sometimes learns; and main failures turn about, when we might have won had we stuck it out. Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow; you may succeed with another blow.
“Success is failure turned inside out, the silver tint of the clouds of doubt. And you can never tell how close you are; it may be near, though it seems so far. So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit; it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.”
At the end of the message, Elba calls for the public to submit videos to the BBC of how they’re coping with self-isolation, which will be set to the song ‘Need You’ by Emanuel.
The BBC also recently used iconic sketches from The Thick Of It, I’m Alan Partridge and more in a series of adverts to encourage self-isolation.
Idris Elba revealed that he had tested positive for coronavirus last month, going on to say he believes that the virus is the earth’s response to being “damaged” by humanity.
