David Graham dead: Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig voice actor dies aged 99
David Graham, who was the voice of Grandpa Pig in Peppa Pig, has died at the age of 99.
The world of voice acting mourns the loss of legendary talent David Graham, who has died aged 99. The star was also known for his role in Thunderbirds and as the voice of the Daleks in Doctor Who.
Renowned for bringing life to the character of Grandpa Pig in the beloved children's series Peppa Pig, Graham was a household name. Not just content with captivating younger audiences, he also served as the chilling voice behind the Daleks in the classic Doctor Who series throughout the 60s and 70s.
His most memorable on-screen performance, however, was voicing Aloysius Parker, the butler and driver in the iconic puppet show Thunderbirds from the mid-1960s and its subsequent film adaptations. In addition to Parker, he lent his skills to other characters on the show including Gordon Tracy, the daring pilot, and Brains, the brilliant engineer, between 1965 and 1966.
Graham made a triumphant return to his role as Parker when Thunderbirds saw a revival in 2015 with 'Thunderbirds Are Go!
Remarkably, he was the sole original cast member to take part in the reboot.
In an interview with Mirror in 2015, the late actor reminisced about creating the distinctive Daleks' sound alongside fellow voice actor Peter Hawkins: "I created it with Peter Hawkins, another voice actor."
He added, "We adopted this staccato style then they fed it through a synthesiser to make it more sinister."
David's talent left an indelible mark on timeless classics, delighting generations of fans. His death signals the end of an era for cherished voices that animated our screens.
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Fans and colleagues took to social media to express their sorrow following the announcement of his death.
On X, creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson, stated: "We're incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham.
"The voice Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains and so many more. 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."
Devoted viewers expressed their grief online. One fan commented: "Sad to see such a legendary voice go. He brought so much joy to kids and families everywhere. Rest in peace, David."
While another user exclaimed: "Ahhh he was a legend! RIP bro," and a third contributed: "Sad to hear about the passing of David Graham, the iconic voice behind Parker in *Thunderbirds* and Grandpa Pig in *Peppa Pig*. His talent brought joy to generations of viewers, and his legacy will live on through his beloved characters. Rest in peace, legend."
