Let’s hear it for the nation’s favourite voice

Post on 2nd November 2018

National treasure, Sir David Attenborough, has topped a Scrivens poll to find the nation’s favourite voice.

The much-loved 92-year-old broadcaster beat Hollywood great Morgan Freeman to claim the top spot. In third place was actor and author Stephen Fry, followed by Dame Judi Dench and former 007, Sean Connery.

Other famous names to make the top 50 include ex U.S President Barack Obama, movie legend Samuel L. Jackson and the Queen.

Adrian Ellis, Operations director said: “We recognise how different voices sound and have our own personal favourites, from the inspirational and most trustworthy to those that sooth and move us emotionally.

“The power of the spoken word can’t be underestimated, communication is an essential part of our mental wellbeing, which is why it’s so important that we take care of our hearing throughout our lives.”

Despite Dame Judi’s high ranking, the top 20 favourite voices are dominated by men and home grown talent, with Freeman, Obama and Samuel L. Jackson the only Americans to feature.

Idris Elba made it to number 11 in the list with Welsh crooner Tom Jones close behind.

The top preference for women’s voices is soft, upbeat and husky, which fits with the few that made the top 20, including Joanna Lumley, the Queen and Dame Helen Mirren.  For men, the top preferences are deep, slow and soft.

Most people (72%) cringe when they hear recordings of their own voice and more than half of those polled had judged people solely on their voice. Most worryingly, a quarter admitted they struggle to hear what people say to them when talking face to face.  And almost 53% of those polled had never had their hearing checked.

Adrian added: “It’s hard to admit that we can’t always hear but it’s more common than we think with 11 million adults in the UK suffering from some degree of hearing loss.  That’s why regular hearing checks are so important, and help is available on every high street.”

U.S President Donald Trump topped the poll of most annoying voices, closely followed by Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemmon.

You can test your hearing online at https://scrivens.com/hearing/online-hearing-test/. Comprehensive hearing tests and NHS hearing aids are free of charge.

For more information about Hearing Awareness Month click the image blow.

Full list of the nations favorite voices:

1. David Attenborough
2. Morgan Freeman
3. Stephen Fry
4. Judi Dench
5. Sean Connery
6. Brian Blessed
7. Joanna Lumley
8. Barack Obama
9. David Tennant
10. Billy Connolly
11. Idris Elba
12. Tom Jones
13. The Queen
14. Helen Mirren
15. Liam Neeson
16. Anthony Hopkins
17. Samuel L Jackson
18. Hugh Grant
19. Julie Andrews
20. Ian McKellen
21. Benedict Cumberbatch
22. Tom Hanks
23. Nigella Lawson
24. Ewan McGregor
25. Holly Willoughby
26. James Earl Jones
27. Maggie Smith
28. Moira Stewart
29. Alexander Armstrong
30. Robert De Niro
31. Tom Baker
32. Hugh Jackman
33. Arnold Schwarzenegger
34. Tom Hiddleston
35. Dawn French
36. Harrison Ford
37. Gareth Southgate
38. Mary Berry
39. Jim Broadbent
40. Jeremy Irons
41. Mariella Frostrup
42. Lorraine Kelly
43. Cerys Matthews
44. Meryl Streep
45. Kelsey Grammer
46. Al Pacino
47. Christopher Walken
48. Cheryl Cole
49. Jennifer Lawrence
50. Susanna Reid