‘Lost Voice Guy’ Lee Ridley chooses new Geordie accent as he reprogrammes his speech synthesiser

Lost Voice Guy Lee Ridley now has a Geordie accent after reprogramming his speech synthesiser.

The comedian, 40, who has cerebral palsy and is unable to speak, listened to almost 500 voices from across the Newcastle area in his search for a voice that better reflected his Durham roots, before choosing voice-over artist Dan Pye.

Each potential donor read a short extract from his 2019 book, I’m Only In It For The Parking, and winner Dan grew up in Whickham and currently lives in Hunwick, County Durham.

New voice: Lost Voice Guy Lee Ridley, 40, now has a Geordie accent after reprogramming his speech synthesiser for a voice that paid tribute to his Durham roots

Lee previously communicated in an electronic voice through a speech app on his tablet, but wanted a new voice which pays tribute to his roots in Consett, County Durham.

Speaking about the exciting outcome, Lee said: ‘I’m very excited to finally be getting a Geordie accent, so I can sound more like my family and friends.

‘I had a great response to my request for a voice donor. In fact, the number of people willing to help out blew me away. So, it was hard to choose the voice that I thought suited me best.’

He added: ‘But, in the end, Dan’s voice was the one that I kept coming back to and listening to over and over again.

‘Thankfully, my family agreed with my choice too. I can’t wait to get started on the project with Dan and (technology company) CereProc, and I look forward to you all hearing my new Geordie accent soon.’

Intense: Lee listened to almost 500 voices from across the Newcastle area in his search before choosing voice-over artist Dan Pye (pictured)

Intense: Lee listened to almost 500 voices from across the Newcastle area in his search before choosing voice-over artist Dan Pye (pictured) 

As for Dan, the artist told of his delight, saying: ‘I spend much of my life lending my voice to fictitious characters for a range of projects, the idea of being able to lend my voice to an actual human is just such an honour at the best of times, but when that individual is as inspirational as Lee, it’s an even greater one.’

He went on: ‘Being able to help Lee communicate in a tone which is more personal to him is fantastic. 

‘Being a Geordie has a very distinctive, nationally recognisable tone which I am very proud of. 

‘Sharing that with Lee, I hope will give him a sense of identity that the rest of the North East are famed for.’

Candid: Revealing whether he'll be sad to see Graham go, Lee said during an appearance on This Morning in February: 'Definitely, I've had this voice for most of my life'

Candid: Revealing whether he’ll be sad to see Graham go, Lee said during an appearance on This Morning in February: ‘Definitely, I’ve had this voice for most of my life’

When Lee first got the voice synthesiser, he decided to go with UK adult male Graham – which he previously joked was like a posh version of ‘Robocop.’

Revealing whether he’ll be sad to see Graham go, Lee said during an appearance on This Morning in February: ‘Definitely, I’ve had this voice for most of my life so it’s a part of me now.

‘And of course, everyone recognises it as my own voice, so it’s going to be strange to sound different.’

Lee captured the heart of the UK to win Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 by the public vote, taking home £250,000 and a slot at the Royal Variety Performance.

He previously won the BBC New Comedy Award in 2014 and has performed at a range of festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe.

The comic also created a sitcom on BBC Radio 4 called Ability.

Lee was brought up in the village of Medomsley, County Durham, by his dad David, who has since retired as a sales rep for the Mars confectionery company and mum Janet, who is a former cancer nurse.

His younger sister Nicola Roberts, – who the young Lee was fiercely protective of – works in an administrative role at Newcastle University.

Lee’s grandmother his Ethel Foster, who was widowed 10 years ago, previously told how Lee refused to allow his childhood to be blighted by cerebral palsy, which only became evident when he was aged two.

He became ill in her home, running a high fever and had to be taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where there was initially a fear that he may not survive.

Legend: Lost Voice Guy was named the winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2018 after touching the hearts of the nation (pictured)

Legend: Lost Voice Guy was named the winner of Britain’s Got Talent in 2018 after touching the hearts of the nation (pictured)