“Bushy-bearded bellower Brian Blessed is probably the last person you’d think of taking on a long road trip, but it turns out 25,000 people petitioned to have his dulcet tones guide them around the twisty roads of Britain.
The Yorkshire-born thespian, who cut his teeth on the BBC’s Z Cars before taking his booming personality to the stage as British and Shakespearean monarchs, is probably known more for his gigantic voice, than his acting chops.
That’s exactly what lead Stewart Gore to mock up some potential navigation phrases, and start up the Facebook group “get Brian Blessed to do a voice over for my SatNav”. TomTom said it would negotiate with Blessed if the group reached 25,000 members, which it recently achieved.
Now the voice of The Duke of Exeter, Richard IV, Captain Hook, Caesar Augustus and Henry VIII has agreed to record the lines, and is apparently “absolutely thrilled to bits.”
Blessed joins a fleet of celebrities who have already given their best “turn right here” and “you have reached your destination” speeches, including John Cleese, Homer Simpson, Knight Rider’s KITT, several Star Wars characters and, every one’s favourite, Dora the Explorer.
Brian Blessed’s booming vocals will be available for download on your TomTom from October.”
Read more at Wired (Thanks @XxLadyClaireXx)
It’s an improved safety feature: drivers in a 2 mile radius will be able to anticipate users next move.
I’d be sorely disappointed if they don’t hide “Gordon’s alive!” in there somewhere…
Brian Blessed is exactly what SatNav needs. However, I can’t believe he hasn’t been cast as a dwarf in the new Hobbit movie. He was born to play Gloin!
I think I’d rather like Alan Rickman as mine sat nav reader, was he on the list to choose??
It can’t get any better than this…
The new Hobbit films don’t even have a director yet do they? Its a bit early days to think of casting. But I agree he would be great as Gloin or any of them:)
The Telegraph yesterday had possibly the best quote from any representative of any business, ever: “if we can bring shouty happiness to over 25000 people who are we to deny it?”
Oh, and Trevor: according again to the Telegraph’s story, when you reach your destination, Blessed will say “Gordon’s arrived.”
i luv that guy…
He’s already done sterling work as a BBC snooker commentator, so this would be the obvious next step!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP11L9jRW94
An album I bought a few months back featured Brian Blessed delivering a Wilfred Owen poem in his own inimitable style. Given his fondness for shouting at mountains though, a SatNag voice would be quite an experience.
“Fresh Horses !!” ……..I miss that show.