Could you be the next voice of the speaking clock? If you think you can, then get in touch with BT for a chance to make history.
BT is launching a nationwide competition to mark the Speaking Clock’s 80th birthday, searching the UK to find the next voice of the BT Speaking Clock.
Today, around 12 million calls are made to the BT Speaking Clock by dialling 123, with calls peaking on Remembrance Day, New Year’s Eve or when the clocks go forwards or back. Even Big Ben is set by the BT Speaking Clock, which is accurate to within 30 microseconds and has been keeping Britain on time, ticking away 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 24 July 1936.
The winner of the competition will be only the fifth permanent voice of the BT Speaking Clock in its 80-year-history. They will be announced by BBC’s The One Show and their voice will go live in November this year. Previous winners have been much in demand by the media and for voiceovers and personal appearances.
The competition will also help raise money for Children in Need, with BT donating 10p from each call to the Speaking Clock from the start of the competition in August until 9 November.
The current voice of the BT Speaking Clock, Sara Mendes da Costa, who will be one of the judges, said: “I’m so honoured to have been the voice – only the fourth permanent voice in history – and to be part of such an iconic service.
“I’m sad to be at the end of my time as the voice of the BT Speaking Clock, however ten years is not a bad run. And it’ll be great to be on the judging panel to choose the new voice, just as my predecessor Brian Cobby helped choose me.”
Nearly anyone in the UK can enter the competition, with the only requirement for entrees being that they must be 10 years and over.
