Getty ImagesDavid Graham, the actor who voiced characters in television series such as Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds and Doctor Who, has died at the age of 99.
As the voice behind the evil Daleks in Doctor Who, Graham terrified generations of children between the 1960s and late 1970s.
He was also known as the voice of Aloysius Parker, the butler and chauffeur in the 1960s television series Thunderbirds and its sequels.
However, today’s generation of children knows him primarily as the voice of Grandpa Pig from the television series Peppa Pig.
AlamyThe character, who is married to Grandma Pig and father of Mama Pig and Aunt Dottie, was called “Papa Ig” by his little grandson George.
On screen, Graham appeared as an actor in two episodes of the first season of Doctor Who, but he became better known as the emotionless, harsh voice of the Daleks.
In a Interview with the Mirror in 2015 About the dubbing of the Daleks, Graham recalled: “I did it with Peter Hawkins, another voice actor.
“We took that staccato style and then they ran it through a synthesizer to make it more sinister.”
Not only did he lend his voice to Parker in the futuristic children’s puppet series “Thunderbirds”, but he also played the show’s pilot, Gordon Tracy, and the engineer Brains between 1965 and 1966.
He reprised the role of Parker for an ITV remake of the show in 2015, titled Thunderbirds Are Go!, and was the only member of the original cast to return.
Parker, known for his exclamation “Yes, my lady,” worked for Lady Penelope, played in the newer version by Saltburn star and ex-Bond actress Rosamund Pike.
Graham said at the time: “I am trebly proud to be joining the new series… and to reprise my role as good old Parker with such a distinguished cast.”
“My driving skills are fine and I’m looking forward to being behind the wheel with my lady again.”
He told The Mirror that the show’s creator, Gerry Anderson, had helped inspire Parker’s voice back in the 1960s.
“Gerry took me to lunch because he wanted me to hear the voice of someone, a wine waiter,” the actor said.
“He had been butler to the former Prince of Wales.
“He said, ‘Would you like to see the wine list, sir?’ and that was the birth of Parker.
“I just made him a little more evil. I’m not sure the guy ever found out – maybe he asked for royalties!”
Anderson’s son, television producer Jamie Anderson, said Graham was “always kind and generous with his time and talent.”
In a statement he said: “A few weeks ago I was with 2,000 Anderson fans at a Gerry Anderson concert in Birmingham where we sang him Happy Birthday – such a joyous occasion.
“And now, just a few weeks later, he has left us.”
He added: “From the Daleks to Grandpa Pig and numerous voices for Anderson shows including Brains, Gordon Tracy and the legendary Parker. He will be greatly missed.”
The official account of Gerry Anderson, who died in 2012 at the age of 83, states on X: “David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment.
“We will miss you very much, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family.”
P.A.The London-born actor told The Mirror that he knew from an early age what career he wanted to pursue.
“At school, I always wanted to recite the poem or read the story. I always wanted to act,” he told the newspaper.
However, when World War II broke out, he had to put his acting interests aside and worked as a radar mechanic.
However, since he did not enjoy his post-war work as an office clerk, he moved to New York to live with his sister and her husband, an American GI, where he attended a theater school.
After returning home, he worked in a repertory theatre before getting a role in the first series of Doctor Who.
Graham was also a member of Lawrence Olivier’s company at the National Theatre.
During his long career, he also lent his voice to the wise old elf and Mr. Gnome in Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, which aired in the UK on Channel 5.
He also had brief appearances in the ITV series Coronation Street, The Bill and London’s Burning, as well as the BBC dramas Doctors and Casualty.
