David Graham reprises the voice of Parker, this time in a computer animated version.
David Graham reprises the voice of Parker, this time in a computer animated version.
The voice of Thunderbirds character Parker talks to Russell Baillie about his return to the role in his.
It's slightly tempting, when calling David Graham in London, to put on a posh female voice. Then he might answer the phone with his classic line: "You rang, m'lady?"
For Graham was Parker, the crafty chauffeur of Lady Penelope in Thunderbirds - and he still is. At the grand old age of 89, Graham is again voicing the character in Thunderbirds Are Go, the mostly computer-animated remake of the sci-fi adventures series initiated by Sir Richard Taylor of Weta Workship and Pukeko Pictures.
He's well chuffed about his return to the role of the permanently glum but faithful servant with the dropped h's.
"It's a joy to be working as an actor, especially at my age," says Graham, his voice rather more plummy than his character's, from the lounge of his home in Hampstead.
Graham laughs at the memory of the TAG producers first coming to see him.
"I think they were coming to see if I was in one piece," he laughs. "Because I am getting on in years, as they say. But I have always taken good care of myself and my voice is in pretty good shape. And Parker is in my vocal DNA, as it were."
In the original Gerry Anderson-created series, Graham supplied the voices of Parker, Brains, Gordon Tracy and Kyrano.
But he's only doing Parker this time, spending a couple of days a month in a recording booth with Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike who voices her ladyship.
Rosamund Pike the voice of Ladly Penelope and David Graham the voice of Parker in Thunderbirds Are Go.
"She's just delightful with no airs and graces. She's just a good pro."
But not an old pro like Graham. Did he offer any advice about becoming a Thunderbirds character?
"I wouldn't presume to coach her. She's a highly experienced actress and we get on very well together. I've heard - entre nous - that she likes working with me. I am chuffed about that."
The pair's dialogue recording sessions are different to the old days, back when Thunderbirds was an epic puppet show.
The original Parker and Lady Penelope from Thunderbirds.
"We went down on a Sunday and we gathered around the microphone - all the cast - and did it as a radio play. And I was doing many voices then; on occasion I was talking to myself three times in one single page. But you learn to cope with that," he chuckles.
The new show is yet another credit for Graham in a long career, which has included theatre, radio, and television.
Parker may be his most famous voice but it's not his only sci-fi trademark. He helped create the Dalek vocab - Exterminate! - too in early seasons of Doctor Who and appeared in the show in supporting roles.
But at an age where most folk are looking back at their careers, Graham is enjoying his revival and looking forward to the screening of a Parker-centric upcoming episode written by British comedian David Baddiel.
Graham thinks his late friend Gerry Anderson would like the new version.
"Well he was a great innovator and his technical expertise was second-to-none. If he is on some cloud above and watching it, he would certainly approve of the special effects, which are fantastic. Although the series has changed series, it is true to the original.
"The thing I like about Parker is that there is quite a lot of humour. He's a loveable villain.
"He's a joy to play."
Who: David Graham What: Thunderbirds Are Go When and where: TV2, 7pm Sundays
