Tales from the Tannoy Sayer Hamilton Ltd

For many of us, our homeschooling efforts during Covid have involved plonking the kids in front of a laptop or tablet, so that the digital school teacher can guide them through their phonics.

But who does the calm but engaging voice belong to? She's Claire Wyatt, and in the years leading up to the pandemic, that anonymous lady in the computer - who taught everyone else's child with friendliness and affection - was actually struggling to have a child of her own.

She speaks to Elinor Hamilton about the challenges of having a much-wanted baby at the start of the pandemic, and how even the Jolly Phonics lady herself struggled to find anything remotely jolly about home schooling.

Produced by Karl Svenson at Tadah Media, with music from Beats Bakery.

Recorded in June 2021.

Most of the voices we hear in our day-to-day lives are anonymous. They tell us to put our shopping in the bag, or to stand clear of the doors please. In Hollywood movies, though, the voices we hear are often famous faces as well as voices, with their life stories splashed across headlines around the world. So, talking to people like them is not the point of this podcast. We like to tell the stories of the voices we recognise, but don't actually know.

One voice that's been heard across Hollywood is the one belonging to Javier Fernández-Peña, who isn't a household name by any means, but his voice is known to millions as the one belonging to Buzz Lightyear when he suddenly turned Spanish in Toy Story 3. 

While Javier's character delighted families across the world, the man behind the voice talks about how drug addiction changed his family life forever, and the messages he's since received from the great beyond.

With Elinor Hamilton. Produced by Karl Svenson from Tadah Media.

Trish Bertram will be familiar to television viewers as the continuity voice which has appeared between programmes on and off for years. In her view, though, her finest hour was when she became the voice of the Olympics. (But only just.)

She takes Elinor Hamilton through a career built entirely on blagging her way in, and explains how she managed to face workplace sexism head-on in a somewhat unconventional way...

Produced by Karl Svenson at Tadah Media.

Gina Mellotte has one of the most gloriously resonant voices in the business, so it's no wonder hers has been chosen to read out some of the most famous and celebrated names of all - at the BAFTA awards.

But away from the microphone, that cool and confident sounding woman has struggled with impostor syndrome, crushing anxiety, and post-natal depression. And now, since lockdown, a double dose of unexpected grief on top.

She describes her experience of loving and living in the age of Covid, and how she's managed to find her way back into the light, without once leaving lockdown.

With Elinor Hamilton. Produced by Karl Svenson at Tadah Media, with music from Beats Bakery.

Everyone has a love-hate relationship with that voice at the self service checkout in Tesco which tells us to "please rescan the item and try again". But who's the voice behind it, and what's his story? And did you know he's a hero... as well as being the voice behind one of the most popular characters in Paw Patrol?

The man behind all those voices belongs to Andy Turvey, who talks about some of the darker moments of his past - one of which includes getting frisky with Mr Blobby.

With Elinor Hamilton. Produced by Karl Svenson at Tadah Media.

One of Britain's best-loved voices belongs to Alan Dedicoat - the man whose dulcet tones could make a millionaire out of... well... anyone.

His is the voice that announces the winning numbers on the National Lottery draws, but he's also heard on Children in Need and Strictly Come Dancing. (His boundless enthusiasm is everywhere, frankly.)

The man fondly referred to as "The Voice of the Balls" takes a delightful look back at some of the highs and lows from a career hidden from view but live on air.

With Elinor Hamilton. Produced by Karl Svenson at Tadah Media.