Voice Over Man

The Extraordinary Story of a Professional Voice Actor

By: Peter Dickson

Narrated by: Peter Dickson

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

It is estimated that there are more than a million professional voice actors in the world. It is by nature, a largely hidden profession but nonetheless is one that annually generates more than $4.5 billion globally.

Voice Over Man is a fascinating insight into the life of one of the world’s most prolific voiceover artists. It’s a frank and very personal account of his career. Not in the full glare of the spotlight, but in the dark spaces behind the scenes that the public never gets to see. From barking like a dog on pet food commercials - to his universally recognised work on the world’s biggest television shows - The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent together with countless video games and live events - he recounts the highs and lows of his deeply unconventional career. If you liked The Larry Sanders Show, W1A, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Toast Oo London - you’ll love this!

Unlike Kleenex or Clorox, Peter Dickson is not a household name, so while he may not be very effective at or indeed remotely interested in cleaning under your rim or around your U-Bend, his voice is heard in every household in the United Kingdom and beyond; every hour of every day, of every year. From selflessly lending his vocal talent to radio and TV commercials, video games, documentaries, radio programmes, interactive telephone systems, corporate audio and video productions, game shows and family-friendly TV broadcast entertainment behemoths, he is quite literally all over the ruddy place!

This is a book which will appeal to anyone who has ever wondered what actually goes on behind the scenes on TV and radio. It’s a frank and very personal account of a life lived in the media. Not in the full glare of the spotlight on the shiny floor in front of the camera, but in the dark spaces the public never get to see; the voice booths, control rooms, offices, dressing rooms and dimly lit corridors backstage.

Peter Dickson has been a professional voiceover artist for 45 years. He has worked in all sectors of the entertainment industry and alongside many of its biggest stars. He has been the voice of more than 200 TV series - many of them multi-award-winning - and the promo voice for more than 60 TV channels. He has acted on more than 30 of the world’s top-selling AAA game titles and has voiced more than 30,000 TV and radio commercials. He founded and co-owns GravyfortheBrain.com - the world’s biggest online voiceover training school and mentoring resource for established and aspiring voice talent. He also founded and co-owns ReAttendance.com - the global virtual events platform. He has an honours degree in psychology, is a member of British Actors Equity and the Chartered Institute of Journalists and is understandably, ever so slightly knackered.

©2020 Peter Dickson (P)2020 Provox Ltd/Spokenworld Audio & Ladbroke Audio Ltd

Critic reviews

“Peter Dickson is a legend in the industry. It’s about time we heard from His Master’s Voice.” (Hugh Bonneville - stage and screen actor)

“Peter Dickson is a show-business legend.” (David Walliams - comedian and author)

“Great yarns and excellent stories from the man with the voice of gravel and gravy.” (Vic Reeves - comedian and surrealist painter) 

Amazing man, amazing voice!

Such a great listen. Brilliant story, hilarious anecdotes and a fascinating look into the behind the scene's world of the TV stations we grew up with. Highly recommend.

What a memoir should be

A terrific insight into not only Peter Dickson’s life, but an insiders retelling of the last 40 years of English broadcasting and voice-over history. The performance is perfection. The stories priceless. Highly recommended.

Brilliant Brilliant Brilliant

This book never stops being interesting, Peter bolts out interesting stories about the brilliant people he has met and narrates it so well, what a voice this guy has, many wonderful stories, if it wasn’t for sleep I would have done this book in one visit , did it in 3, even eating dinner with AirPods on so I could continue to listen, one of the best audible books I’ve listened to in the last 12 months , and I have listened to many , pure class, well done Peter, this book has No1 written all over it and so it deserves , Thank you from Patrick Dee Westcliff on Sea

Ruddy marvellous!

A fantastic biography of one of Britain’s most recognisable voices, some great stories from Peter’s career and some amazing celebrity encounters.
Much admired and much imitated (admit it we’ve all tried it) I think everyone will love listening to Peter recounting some of his favourite stories from throughout his career.

Consumed in two tantalising sittings.

If ever there was an audiobook you want read by the author, it's this one. This book is crammed full of stories that are made all the better in Peter's unique voice. I highly recommend this book!!

Devoured this delight!

What a ruddy top bloke Peter is!

Brilliantly entertaining audiobook delivered in Peters ubiquitous style!

Entertaining and insightful.

Some great stories of moments with big names in here. Was really nice to hear about Terry Wogan, and fascinating to hear about the behind the scenes of radio.

Excellent. Extremely informative.

Listened almost non stop. Great stories and glad to say was indeed outstandingly well read!!

loved it

Peter is very engaging with a great voice and dry humour. I really enjoyed this book

A phenomenal audio and written gem.

An absolute must, especially in audio extraction. Brilliant storytelling, articulations of utter joyful delight and laughter. Mr Dickson, you're a masterclass. I salute you. You, have to, buy this.

Great anecdotes - worth using up a spare "Credit"

This is an entertaining and interesting look behind the scenes of what really goes on in the world of TV and radio seen through the eyes of someone whose voice is a household name (if you get my drift!). What I really liked about it is the various snippets of information about shows that I know and famous people who have graced them but all seen from a different vantagepoint than what we are used to. Told from the point of view of an insider, Voice Over Man shares the tricks of the trade and is full of wonderful anecdotes. If you have a spare Audible credit and you aren't sure what to spend it on, then this is a good Wild Card. Alternatively if you want to try before you buy, check out the Podcast with Peter Dickson on Iain Dale All Talk. It whet my appetite and persuaded me to get this book and it's been great fun.

Voice over man in his own voice

Loved the book from the first to last word, funny stories a plenty.

Have to say hearing the whole thing in Peters own voice adds significantly to the enjoyment, feel like he is telling all the stories personally to you.

Cannot recommend highly enough.

Well done Peter!!!