Top 25 most-loved British celebrity voices - Sir David Attenborough tops list

19 October 2023 , 12:05

544 0

Sir David Attenborough has topped a list of the best British celebrity voices (Image: SWNS)

Sir David Attenborough, Sir Sean Connery, and Stephen Fry, have topped a list – of the nation's favourite celebrity voices, research has found.

National treasure, Sir David, took the top spot with his soft, whispery tones, which have become instantly recognisable from countless nature nature documentaries over the past 60 years. Meanwhile, Absolutely Fabulous star, Dame Joanna Lumley, came in fourth place on the top 25 list, followed by star of the silver screen, Dame Judi Dench, and beloved Scottish actor, David Tennant.

Michael Caine, Trevor McDonald, and Tom Jones, who have all received knighthoods, also ranked among the top 10 most iconic voices. The survey of 2,000 UK adults found that over a quarter (27%) named these celebrity voices as some of the best, as they are so quintessentially British. And 43% agreed that their instantly recognisable voices are what make these stars so iconic.

Meanwhile, 73% feel that a celebrity's voice plays a big part in their overall success and appeal, according to the research, from menthol lozenge brand, Jakemans.

Top 25 most-loved British celebrity voices - Sir David Attenborough tops list qhiqquiqexiqrxinv

The nature documentarist's voice was closely followed by the comforting tones of Stephen Fry (SWNS)

In light of the findings, Jakemans teamed up with Professor Silke Paulmann, head of Psychology Department at University of Essex, who said: “Our voice is as unique as our fingerprint – it forms part of our identity and signals so many facets of us, including information about our age, sex, and personality.

Three-quarters of workers will still go into work even if they have a cold

“But it is also a powerful tool in that it tells others how we feel, from expressing anger to love – and when we listen to someone else’s voice, a range of feelings can be elicited in us.

“A calming, soothing voice helps us overcome upset, and a powerful, motivational voice can get us going when we need some encouragement.

“The beauty of the voice is that it doesn’t require us to pay close attention to it, either. Our brain picks up on voice cues within milliseconds, and we form impressions about others based on these cues.

“And in the UK, we are blessed with an array of celebs whose voices really need no introduction. All of those who have placed highly in this list have the power to transport you to a different world just by uttering a few words.”

The study also found that over three-quarters (78%) feel an iconic voice can be a powerful tool to spread important messages.

When considering what makes a good voice in general, 37% said being distinctive is an important characteristic, while 27% want to be captivated by it. And 22% believe soothing tones are essential – while 79% claim a calming voice can put them at ease.

Professor Silke Paulmann added: “The results of the survey nicely align with existing research which shows how powerful voices can be.

Top 25 most-loved British celebrity voices - Sir David Attenborough tops list

And six in ten Brits have experienced a health issue which has impacted their voice (Catherine Falls/Getty Images)

“In addition to affecting our wellbeing, voices can also affect our behaviour – listening to a soft, encouraging-sounding voice can make us feel good and comply with instructions, while a harsh, pressuring-sounding voice can make us feel anxious and react with defiance.

“However, sometimes our voice can be impacted by factors outside of our control, like the weather or illnesses, and we lose the ability to communicate in our unique way that is fundamental to our identity.

“It’s incredibly important to protect our voice – as, without it, we lose a part of who we are. Staying hydrated, or resting our voice when we can, are great ways of protecting it.”

Eye drops recalled after patient goes blind and another dies of infection

In fact, nearly six in ten (59%) of those polled, via OnePoll, have experienced a voice-related health issue – with 31% of these being forced to take time off work, or cancel social commitments, due to the problem.

As a result, two in three (67%) of these said they only truly appreciated their own voice after losing it for a period of time.

When remedying issues such as a sore throat, hoarseness, or loss of voice, throat lozenges are the most popular choice of treatment. And 55% will rest their voice as much as possible on the road to recovery, with 46% keeping it hydrated.

Elizabeth Hughes-Gapper, from Jakemans, added: “As many Brits have realised, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone – and that’s certainly the case when it comes to your voice.

“But like any part of the body, it is so important to look after and rest your voice as well, especially if you’re feeling under the weather.

“Which is why we want to support people with our lozenges that release natural menthol vapours to soothe the symptoms of a sore or tickly throat, helping to keep airways clear.”

TOP 25 BRITISH CELEB VOICES: