Voicebank.net’s VoiceRegistry Blog

Londoner Voice Over Talent Spoofs Her VO Gig And Gets In Big Trouble

I was surfing around the internet checking for international voice over stories. And I came across this one. Emma Clarke is one of those ubiquitous voices heard in public places like train stations. She’s one of the “Mind the Gap” voices in The Tube (subway) in London. Maybe a controversy is what we voice actors need to do to get noticed and get more jobs. Or not.

Listen to Emma’s spoof annos (Brit slang for announcements). Pretty inventive!

-Tracy Pattin

Here’s an excerpt from Emma’s blog post.

I’ve been one of the “Mind the Gap’ voices on the London Underground since 1999 – I’m one of the people who says things like “the next station is…“ and “please stand clear of the doors.” I was chosen to do the job after my voice tested positive with commuters and after recording the initial announcements I’ve done occasional sessions announcing changes to stations, services and popular landmarks.

Almost everyone who has lived in or visited London will be familiar with its quirks. Walk into any souvenir store in central London and you’ll be able to pick up a mug, tea towel, oven mitt or apron adorned with the iconic phrase: “Mind the Gap”.

Along with “all change please”, “please note that this train will not stop at the next station” and “thank you for travelling on the central line”, “mind the gap” is one of the tube’s most-played recorded messages.

Instructing commuters to mind the gap since 1999 has been the soothing voice of British woman, Emma Clarke. This week however Transport for London announced they would not contract her in the future. Contrary to popular belief that this is the result of her spoof voiceovers on her website, TfL claim it’s because she has publicly denounced their service saying she hates catching the tube.

Emma Clarke has defended herself and shock horror it seems she’s been misrepresented by a journalist from The Mail on Sunday. Oh well - you can decide for yourself: listen to the spoofs or for Londoners living off-shore - make yourself homesick with the real thing.