Skip to content
  • About us
  • Music
  • Celebrities
  • TV and Movies
  • Fashion
  • Entertaiment
  • Life Style
  • Travel and Health
Style Focus

Style Focus

  • About us
  • Music
  • Celebrities
  • TV and Movies
  • Fashion
  • Entertaiment
  • Life Style
  • Travel and Health
  • Toggle search form
  • Lindsay Lohan on motherhood, acting again and the Freaky Friday sequel Uncategorised
  • Nail-biting finale brings The Traitors to dramatic end Uncategorised
  • Wiwi Wishlist: Mikay is our dream act for Greece at Eurovision 2026 Uncategorised
  • Britney and Harry memoirs shortlisted for award Uncategorised
  • Clooney gets Tony nomination for Broadway debut Uncategorised
  • Emma Watson banned from driving for speeding Uncategorised
  • Slovenia’s Raiven describes Madrid PrePartyES as one of the “most beautiful experiences” of her life Uncategorised
  • Blake Lively Reveals She Does Not Like Doing Photo Shoots: ‘I’m Just Too Shy’ Uncategorised

Peppa Pig and Thunderbirds actor David Graham dies

Posted on 20 September 2024 By Admin No Comments on Peppa Pig and Thunderbirds actor David Graham dies

Peppa Pig and Thunderbirds actor David Graham dies

David Graham in a cream jacket at WonderCon in 2016 in Los Angeles, California
David Graham appeared at a Thunderbirds event at WonderCon in 2016 in Los Angeles

David Graham, the actor who provided the voice for characters in TV series including Peppa Pig, Thunderbirds and Doctor Who, has died aged 99.

As the voice behind the evil Daleks in Doctor Who, Graham terrified successive generations of children between the 1960s and late 70s.

He was also well known as the voice of Aloysius Parker, the butler and chauffeur in 1960s TV series Thunderbirds and its film sequels.

But to today’s generation of children, he will be most familiar as the voice of Grandpa Pig in the TV series Peppa Pig.

Grandpa Pig, Peppa and Mummy Pig with a giant pumpkin in a scene from children's TV show Peppa Pig
Channel 5’s Grandpa Pig, Peppa and Mummy Pig with a giant pumpkin

The character, married to Granny Pig and the father of Mummy Pig and Aunt Dottie, was referred to as “Papa Ig” by his young grandson George.

On-screen, Graham appeared in two episodes of the first series of Doctor Who as an actor, but became much better known as the unemotional, harsh voice of the Daleks.

In an interview with the Mirror in 2015 about voicing the Daleks, Graham recalled: “I created it with Peter Hawkins, another voice actor.

“We adopted this staccato style then they fed it through a synthesiser to make it more sinister.”

William Hartnell as Dr Who, Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman and three Daleks, in a black-and-white image from Doctor Who in 1963
William Hartnell as Dr Who and Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman were surrounded by Daleks in a 1963 BBC TV episode

As well as voicing Parker for the futuristic children’s puppet series Thunderbirds, he also played the show’s pilot Gordon Tracy, and Brains the engineer, between 1965 and 1966.

He reprised the role of Parker for an ITV remake of the show in 2015, called Thunderbirds Are Go! and was the only original cast member to return.

Parker, famous for saying “Yes m’lady”, worked for Lady Penelope, who was played in the more recent version by Saltburn star and ex-Bond actress Rosamund Pike.

Graham said at the time: “I am triple chuffed to be on board the new series… and reprising my role of dear old Parker with such a distinguished cast.

“My driving skills are in good nick and I am delighted to be behind the wheel again with m’lady.”

He told The Mirror that the show’s creator, Gerry Anderson, had helped with the inspiration for Parker’s voice back in the 1960s.

“Gerry took me to lunch because he wanted me to hear the voice of somebody, a wine waiter,” the actor said.

“He had been a 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 bit more villainous. I’m not sure the guy ever knew – he might have demanded a royalty!”

Anderson’s son, the TV producer Jamie Anderson, said Graham was “always kind and generous with his time and talent”.

He said in a statement: “Just 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’s left us.”

He added: “From the Daleks to Grandpa Pig and numerous voices for Anderson shows including Brains, Gordon Tracy and the iconic Parker. He will be sorely missed.”

The official account of Gerry Anderson, who died aged 83 in 2012, said on X: “David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment.

“We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family.”

Parker and Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds - two puppets side by side, Parker in a chauffeur's uniform and Lady Penelope in blue sequins and fur
Parker worked for the glamorous Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds

The actor, who was born in London, told The Mirror he knew early on which career he wanted to pursue.

“At school I always wanted to say the poem or read the story. I always wanted to act,” he told the newspaper.

He had to postpone his acting interests when World War Two happened, however, and worked as a radar mechanic.

But afterwards, having not enjoyed his post-war work as an office clerk, he joined his sister and her American GI husband in New York, where he attended a theatre school.

After returning home, he worked in repertory theatre before getting work the first Doctor Who series.

Graham was also a member of Lawrence Olivier’s company at the National Theatre.

His long career also included providing the voice for Wise Old Elf and Mr Gnome for Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, shown in the UK on Channel 5.

He also had brief appearances in ITV’s Coronation Street, The Bill and London’s Burning and BBC dramas Doctors and Casualty.

Adblock test (Why?)

Uncategorised

Post navigation

Previous Post: Trailblazing actress Cleo Sylvestre dies aged 79
Next Post: Amy Dowden ‘so happy’ after making Strictly return

Related Posts

  • Tom Holland’s Romeo wows crowds more than critics Uncategorised
  • A pioneering women’s World Cup erased from history Uncategorised
  • Pulp, CMAT and Wolf Alice nominated for Mercury Prize Uncategorised
  • My greatest dream come true’: Taylor Swift buys back rights to first six albums Uncategorised
  • First celebrity leaves Strictly after dance-off Uncategorised
  • Barbra Streisand: I haven’t had much fun in my life Uncategorised

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Kerry Katona on coping with fame after Atomic Kitten
  • From Georgia to Dubai: Paris Fashion Days and the Paris Fashion Awards Honored Visionary Designers Worldwide
  • The Power of Fashion: Milan Fashion Days Unites Global Talent on One Iconic Stage
  • Fawlty Towers star Prunella Scales dies aged 93
  • Rapper Ghetts in court over fatal hit-and-run

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • October 2025
  • September 2025
  • August 2025
  • July 2025
  • June 2025
  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
  • May 2024
  • April 2024
  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • March 2022
  • November 2008

Categories

  • announcements
  • Events
  • Fashion
  • music
  • Persons
  • Uncategorised
  • Rachel Zoe Shares Why You Need a Steamer, Ring Light, Black Dress and Worn-in Jeans to Nail a Chic Outfit Uncategorised
  • Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler named executive producers of Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland Uncategorised
  • What it’s like being a dance pro while pregnant Uncategorised
  • Former “The Voice Romania” contestant NANAVA releases her 6th single “CHANEL”
    Former “The Voice Romania” contestant NANAVA releases her 6th single “CHANEL” – a song about love that was not the last in life, but will remain in memory forever music
  • Selena Gomez Stuns in Plunging Red Gown at VMAs Pink Carpet Uncategorised
  • New music this week: Songs from Bambie Thug, Baby Lasagna, Victoria De Angelis and more Uncategorised
  • Kate Middleton Sparkles in 100-Year-Old Tiara for Buckingham Palace Banquet Uncategorised
  • Gary Lineker to leave BBC’s Match of the Day Uncategorised

Copyright © Style Focus

Powered by PressBook News WordPress theme