Voiceover
David’s facility with voices has undoubtedly been a great asset to him as a performer and helped him especially in his early days. Today he continues to use that talent; both in children’s television, as he as always done, but also to record audiobooks for the RNIB.
Looking back on a long career, there are many highlights worth mentioning and his role in ‘giving voice’ to certain well-known characters has kept him much in demand at fan conventions.
Gerry Anderson
A lucky break happened for David with the launch of commercial television in Britain. It was about this time that he met Gerry Anderson:
“It all started when I did a live-action tv film at Elstree which Gerry directed. Although he happened to be directing this cops and robbers thing, his background was in the technical side of the business, and I think his mind was very set on puppet film making. When I heard that I pricked up my ears and said: ‘I’m not bad on accents and voices.’ When he got underway he was good enough to contact me and it all started”.
Four Feather Falls, a Granada production, was David’s first collaboration with Gerry Anderson. They were 15 minute children’s programmes featuring cowboy themed puppets. David played ‘Gramps’, a character he based on Hollywood star Walter Brennan.
This lead to a lot more work with Anderson, creating the voices for characters in Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Stingray.
But David is still probably best known amongst Anderson fans for Thunderbirds where he created the voices of ‘Parker’, ‘Brains’, ‘Gordon Tracy’, ‘Kyrano,’ as well as various other occasional characters.
The voice of Parker was based on a real person as David recounts here:
“Gerry took me to a restaurant in Cookham, near the studio in Slough. Gerry had already listened to this waiter and he invited him over. The waiter said: ‘Would you like to see the wine list?’ . . . We elaborated on the voice, but basically it was Parker.”
Dr Who
Another memorable job for David was inventing the voices of those mechanical villains, the Daleks, in Dr Who:
“I originated the Dalek voices for Doctor Who with Peter Hawkins. We went into the studio and created a style for these voices. Then they fed them through an electronic machine. I did quite a few of the early Dalek adventures.”
David worked on the first five Dalek stories but eventually was forced to leave it to Peter Hawkins for a while due to the pressure of other work.
Recent voiceover
Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom
Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom are the latest in a pedigree line of television programmes for children where David has been involved as a voiceover artist, supplying the voices for characters that are destined to become much loved by a new generation of children.
Peppa Pig, where David voices the character of Grandpa Pig, is already a brand name worth £95 million pounds with record viewing figures on both sides of the Atlantic. Ben and Holly (David plays The Wise Old Elf) is from the same stable and seems set to follow Peppa in the popularity stakes.
Not for the first time, David makes a valuable contribution to a winning formula . . .
Love this site! The first Gerry Andersen production I ever saw as a kid was SuperCar. Can’t get enough of the Supermarionation shows!
Kind regards
Dear David Many thanks for your kind remarks about my site and work
David Graham
Mr Graham, did you voice the character Dr. Horatio Beaker? “Satisfactory. Most satisfactory!”
Yes
Dear David
It was an honour to meet you and Matt Zimmerman in 2005 at the fanderson convention in Borehamwood. It was also great to meet Alan Perry and Gerry Anderson as well.
Are you still in contact with any ot the other members of the production team?
Jim
Dear Jim Smith Thanks for your message. I do keep in touch with some of the production team but time is taking its toll.
Dear David…
One of those strange unexplainable moments in life. My twins, Bridget n Lewis love Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly. Of course I watch them also and being in my late 40s had a sort of Deja Vu moments when Grandpa and Wise old Elf spoke. Upon (some may say sad) investigation I discovered your many other voice overs in particular those in Thunderbirds. Mystery solved.
Tony.
Dear Tony Glad that your twins are fans of mine. We are at present recording another series of Ben and Holly in which I also play a very greedy Gnome. Very best to you and Bridget and Lewis.
Davvid Graham
Just heard you on radio solent… its brought back many happy memories from my childhood. The voice work in Thunderbirds was exceptionally skillful and involving. The converstations between Parker and Penelope legendary. Zimmerman , Rimmer and Graham three of the best voice over artists ever… BRAVO !!
Dear Jonny Feest just picked up our kind message. yours comments make all the effort well worthwhile.
Best wishes David graham
Dear David,
Heartfelt thanks for all the great voices! I’m most appreciative for the way you portrayed Brains. I remember an instance in ‘Sunprobe’ where Brains said ” I.. don’t think they’re going to make it ” . Just stands out to me amongst the many, MANY, wonderful performances. Best to you now and always,
Stephen R.
Dear Stephen R Thank you o much for your kind remarks about my work They make it all worthwhile.
Best wishes David Graham
What a great career you have had! Had no idea that Grandpa Pig and the Wise Old Elf were Parker in a previous existence!
Just love the humour in Ben & Holly and Peppa Pig. Thank you so much, Grandpa ‘ig!
All the best,
Melenie
Dear Melenie Many thanks for your message and kind words regarding my efforts. It makes it all worthwhile.
Best David Graham
Dear David,
Good god I am so pleased to have found your website1.Thank you for all the entertainment crown jewels you alone have created. How does a person speak to a legend. i suppose to humbly thank you for your amazing work I have enjoyed all my life.. and now my children enjoy. You sir truly span ages of television legend simply a heart felt thank you and my total admiration for your work
yours kindly
Geoff marriott in Norfolk 47 yrs ex Royal Air Force
Dear Geoff I was quite touched by your warm words regarding my career. It is so good to know that my efforts have been appreciated.
Best wishes david
Dear Geoff So many thanks for your warm words regarding my work down the years. Much appreciated. My main aim has been to entertain and to give pleasure. By the way I am also ex RAF Radar Mechanic. Think i am a better actor though.
Best wishes David Graham
Hi David or should I call you “The Wise Old Elf”
Your voice is awesome, my son and I love watching Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly. In particular we love it when the wise old elf shouts “aarrrrgggghhhh”. My 2.5 year old son thinks it’s hilarious. Do you know of anywhere I can get hold of a sound clip of it. I would love to have that set as a ringtone on my mobile phone.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Kindest Regards,
Alec & Ben Fletcher
Dear Alec and Ben Fletcher Many thanks for your warm words on my voice.
efforts. Much appreciated. I will try and get a clip of what you need for your mobile phone.
Best wishes David
Hi David
Do you ever get asked to do the voices of Gordon Tracy or Kyrano?
Also have you got any memories of Reg Hill or Chrisitne Glanville?
Jim
Dear Jim Just picked up your message. As regards Gordon Tracy and Kyrano I don’t often get asked to do their voices. It’s mainly Parker and Brains.
I have only good memories of Reg and Christine now sadly left us. Both of them made vital contributions to the series.
Best David
Dear David
I’m so delighted to have found your website. Your voice is amazingly distinctive, so much so that for me, it’s the voice of Supercar, Fireball XL5 and Thunderbirds. I know you have done so much more but I would like you to know that yours is the voice of my boyhood and means a lot to me. Thank you so much.
Best Wishes
Martin
Dear Martin Many thanks for your message and kind words about my work. I shall be attending a Thunderbirds event in November at the RAF Museum in Cosford so the series reverberates down the years. Am working on a series called Ben and Holly at present.
Best wishes David
Hello David. I worked as an engineer in the RNIB Talking Book studios in the late 90s, where you regularly, brilliantly recorded books. I now have a little girl and we have started to watch lots of episodes of Peppa Pig (which we both love!) I just had to look up to see if Grandpa Pig was the same David Graham with whom I worked, and am delighted to find that it is and you are still doing great stuff. Lovely to hear you again – thank you and keep at it!
Dear Annabel Not sure if I replied to your message. Delighted to hear that your little girl is enjoying Peppa Pig. Does she watch Ben and Holly too as I play The Wise Old Elf in that.
Afraid that I am out of favour with the RNIB. However I survive.
Very best wishes David
Dear David,
What a pleasure it was to speak to you on BBC Radio Shropshire. You were a delight to talk to, and thank you for all the pleasure you’ve given many of us with your wonderful “voices” over the years.
Many thanks for your kind message and words. Much appreciated.
David
Hi David,
Just found this site. Just seen the new Lemsip advert on TV, and what do I hear? Your dulcet tones! Well I think it is. Can you confirm or deny this please? On an unrelated note, can you tell me anything about the new series of Thunderbirds Gerry was talking about on BBC news 24 in 2011, as we’ve heard nothing since.
Regards,
Colin.
Dear Colin Thanks for your message. Yes it is my voice on the Lemsip ad. As regards the proposed series of Thunderbirds it didn’t work out. Sadly Gerry is in a nursing home and very poorly. Have a happy festive season.
Best wishes David
Hi David,
Just wanted to say how much myself and my kids enjoy watching Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly, and this is mainly down to the fantastic voiceovers from yourself and others. The Wise Old Elf is our favourite character in any cartoon and you make him so believable. Hope there are many more series to come, keep up the good work!
Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year.
Best wishes,
Paul
Dear Paul Many thanks for your warm comments about my work on Peppa and Ben and Holly. The Wise Old Elf is a lovely character to play thanks to the writers. Hopefully there will be more to come. So watch this space. Best wishes to you and the children for the New Year.
David
So saddened to hear the news about the passing away of Gerry Anderson. Have you been contacted in regards to any tribute programmes that are being produced, and if so, have you any idea of when they were broadcast. Also, what’s your own favourite memory of Gerry?
Keep up the Voicovers! You are an inspiration!
Regards,
Colin.
Dear Colin Thanks for the message. Yes a sad day for me. I have given a number of radio interviews, but as yet I have not heard of any plans for a tribute programme. It is still early days. My favourite memory of Gerry was our first meeting on a television series called Martin Kane. He was directing and was the beginning of a long and fruitful working relationship. He warmly inscribed my copy of his official biography. Have a good 2013.
David
I meant ‘Will be broadcast’ not were, sorry David.
Dear David Graham, thank you so much for signing my merchandise and having your photo with me at the West Ham Doctor Who signing. It was so great to finally meet one of the people made my childhood so special through programmes such as Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5, etc.
I owe it to people like you and Gerry Anderson for inspiring me to work in the Entertainment industry and your fantastic performances have led to my fascination with, and respect for, voice actors who I love working with and talking to.
Thank you once again, it really was an absolute pleasure.
Kind regards,
Alexander Kay
Dear Alexander Thanks very much for your very warm remarks regarding my work and career.I am gratified that I seem to have given a lot pleasure to a lot of people like yourself. if you decide to work in the entertainment field I want to wish you every success. However it is a tough road to follow. Have faith.
Best wishes David Graham
Dear David, I am big admirer of the television production of the 60′s and 70′s, do you think they have it easy today?
Dear Nick Interested to hear your views and preferences. I was involved then and am involved now with Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom so I have a foot in both worlds fortunately.
Best wishes David Graham
Dear David
I am so pleased that I have found your website,and that you are obviously well and busy!
Long time ago…in a studio far far away etc etc
Take care
Kind Regards
Simon
Dear Simon How nice to hear from you. I hope that you are well. Yes I am still active and in my eighties! Have kept myself in shape and my voice is still flexible. Am a regular in Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly. Hope it all lasts. Thanks once again for your message.
V Best wishes David
Hi David, I have just been listening to you on radio 5 live, and I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, for your work on Ben and Holly and Pepper pig. I know that your performance as the wise old elf brings me and my son hours of pleasure every weekend.
Keep up the good work
Thanks
Mat and Oliver
x
Dear Mat and Oliver Many thanks for your kind words and pleased that my acting gives you both pleasure. That is the focus of all my efforts as a performer. Long may it continue.
Best wishes to you both David
Dear Mr. Graham:
Like you, I was deeply saddened to hear, first of Gerry Anderson’s being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and then of his death, only six months after the diagnosis was announced. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of watching Supercar and Fireball XL5, and I am delighted to have the chance to establish contact with one of the creative team that helped Mr. Anderson bring both of those series to life. Those must have been halcyon days, I am sure!
I am also glad to know that you are continuing to use your abilities to entertain audiences throughout Britain, and through today’s various technologies, around the world! I can only say, as Dr. Horatio Beaker would, “Satisfactory! MOST Satisfactory!” Take care and God bless!
Dear Tom Thanks very much for your very kind message. Gerry’s death is a very sad loss. we had a long working relationship which was important to my career. However his work will live on in the memories of all those multitudes who loved it. Yesterday I attended an event in London and signed pictures of the Thunderbird series and talked to fans which is always rewarding. So thanks and be well.
Best wishes David Graham
David
Thanks so much for replying.
So glad you are well and happy
Hugs
Simon
Dear David thankyou for all the wonderful characters youv brought us.My three little ones adore grandpa and wise elf.My favorite is wise elf although I’m old enough to know better. I have decided to adopt you as my grandpa as I never knew either of mine. You’ll be perfect. Love and thanks for all your work.
Dear Lisa and little ones Thanks you for your kind and touching message and for my adoption. You may be interested to hear that they are going to bring back the Thunderbirds series from the 1960′s in which I was involved as the voice of Parker and Brains and many others. It is not due to transmit until 2015. I hope that I will still be around.
Very best wishes Grandpa
Hi David
First of all you are to Ben and Holly as what Ian Mckellen is to Lord of the Rings.
I never actually realised that I have heard or seen so much of your Tv/radio appearances
absolutely loved the Superman radio plays.
you seem to do some conventions when and where are your next one?
And just out of curiousity were you approached or are you doing the for the voiceover for the Dr Who special “Adventures in Space and time?
I have just added you into my living legend list.
Keep up the great work on Ben and Holly.
Thanks Dave.
Dear Dave many thanks for your very kind thoughts on my work. I always make every effort to please and messages such as yours make it all worthwhile. As regards conventions I mainly attend those connected with Dr Who and Thunderbirds. I will let you know when the next one is. i have not been approached to do the voice over for the Dr Who special although I hope to attend the 50th anniversary bash later in the year. I shall have a job living up to the living legend label.
Thanks and best wishes David
Hello, David, and greetings from a fan from “across the pond”!
I was born and raised in a small town called Moline in the state of Illinois here in the US. While we received a smattering of UK shows there on occasion – one of my most favorite shows as a young boy was “Fireball XL5″ [along with an early Irwin Allen produced show - "Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea"]. Recently – I pulled out my XL5 DVD boxset and listened to your commentary track on one of the episodes. As luck would have it – I really became a fan of “Doctor Who” in the past year and started systematically watching episodes from the start with the First Doctor (William Hartnell). Imagine my surprise when I saw your name as one of the original Dalek voices AND there was no mistaking that voice (similar to Professor Matic) when “Charlie – the bartender” appeared in the First Doctor episode “The Gunfighters” (sorry – I haven’t gotten up to the Tom Baker years yet so I haven’t seen you as “Kerensky”).
Thank you for all your years of entertaining the world. I wish you well and hope that perhaps – you might be able to travel to Los Angeles sometime for, say, the Gallifrey One convention.
Guy
P.S. “Fireball XL5″ was one of the inspirations for me having worked at NASA (the Langley Research Center). I’ve had a long association with science fiction and space and had 2 pieces of equipment on the Space Shuttle and am presently involved with space tourism.
Dear Guy Many thanks for your complimentary and very interesting message. I am proud that in a small way I was the inspiration in your taking up science and working for NASA. Dr Who is a long time ago but is still very popular in this country and around the world. In November they are going to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a special celebratory event in London. I also created some of the famous voices in Thunderbirds. Parker and Brains and they are shortly to start making a new series for transmission in 2015. So I keep going.
Best wishes David
Hello David
I have just been watching Ben and Holly with my 3 year old daughter and laughing at the Wise Old Elf and was compelled to put a face to the voice so here I am! Loved finding that you also voiced the Gnome and your earlier work too – I loved Thunderbirds! Your voice is legendary.
Take care
Denise
Dear Denise and three year old daughter. Glad that my voices have down well in the Manning household. It makes it all worthwhile to receive messages such as yours. There may be another series of Thunderbirds on the way. Happy viewing!
Best wishes David
Hi David, would you be kind enough please to drop me a brief line via timscribe@btinternet.com so I can discuss a small project with you for a community radio station.
will explain all by return
many thanks.
Tim Cooke
Dear David aka Mr. Hackenbacker,
I am a huge Thunderbirds & Captain Scarlet fan! I have both original series on dvd and love your character “Brains”. Did you do any v/o work on Captain Scarlet? Who is the new “Brains” on the upcoming Thunderbirds series? Keep up the good work! -Chris Morris
Leesburg, Florida U.S.A.
P.S.-I have the live-action Thunderbirds movie on dvd & Anthony Edwards does not do you or “Brains” justice!
Dear Chris Many thanks for your kind remarks regarding Thunderbirds. I did not create any voices for Captain Scarlet. Thunderbirds was my swan song for Gerry Anderson. I begin recording the new series in July. I will be reprising Parker but don’t know about Brains at the moment. It is nice after 50 years to be still going strong.
Thanks and best wishes David
Dear David aka “Nosey Parker”, It’s great that you get to reprise Parker! Here’s hoping you & he get to land your fair share of Parker Haymakers on the evildoers! I’ll pray for you that you get to reprise Brains. Your #1 fan, Chris Morris
Hi David
Were you aware that Parker was born on May 30th 2013?
Did anyone ask you to commemorate this momentous day?
I have a full scale studio replica and thought we should have a party?!
Cheers
David
Hello David,
I have only just discovered that you have a website! What can I say? I am so very grateful and indebted to you. Your wonderful work, your astonishingly versatile and amazing voice talent. I have always loved and adored the work of Gerry Anderson and his wonderful team. Your wonderful skill and voice – to me – has become synonymous with the beautifully created and enormously loved characters that you helped to create. Thunderbird’s especially helped me get through a fairly painful and wretched childhood, it helped me go to a place where my illness couldn’t get me. The myriad of voice characters you created are forever etched in my DNA. Simply wonderful work.
Thank you so much again for everything you have done. My wife and I wish you and your family every health, wealth and happiness for now and forever.
Best wishes,
Griff
Dear Griff I was touched by your very kind letter and unstinting praise of my work. It makes all the effort and occasional setbacks in my hazardous profession worthwhile. Gerry Anderson’s passing was a sad loss. I owe him a great deal. He kept faith with me over a long period. You will pleased to know that they are going to make a new series of Thunderbirds for transmission in 2015 and I shall be reprising my character of Parker which of course I am happy about. It gives me additional pleasure that in some way I enabled you to get over a difficult off your life.
Very best wishes to you and your family David