The votes are in!
The votes have been counted and verified and the 'olds' have it - well in X Factor terms anyway. Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley have fended off their younger counterparts, Cheryl Cole, David Tennant and Christine Bleakley, to be crowned Bedtime Story Voice 2010. Results come following an opinion poll commissioned to mark the 75th Anniversary of the RNIB Talking Book Service.
While Stephen Fry and his old-school RP came in first place, plummy-toned national treasure Joanna Lumley was placed second, and 75 year old Parky (Yorkshireman Michael Parkinson) was placed fourth. But still a hot favourite, Geordie sweet-heart Cheryl Cole came in the top three.
Other results
Other celebrities voted the most desirable bedtime story voice included David Tennant and Simon Cowell. But it wasn't good news for much-loved Welsh legend Tom Jones who was beaten by Daybreak presenter Christine Bleakley, Barbara Windsor, and the husky tones of Mariella Frostrup. Tom Jones was viewed as the least desired voice to read you a bedtime story in the RNIB survey.
RNIB launched its famous Talking Book Service on 8 November 1935. Thanks to the service people with sight problems have been able to listen to some of the greatest voices of our time reading their favourite books. Since then, RNIB has issued over 75 million audio books to over two million people with sight problems making it one of the most popular and well-known services ever provided by a charity in the UK.
To help support the RNIB Talking Book service call line 0845 345 0054 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
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For more information and images, contact Stacey Kerr or Susan Duncan, RNIB Press Office on 020 7391 2223 (out of hours mobile: 07968 482812)
Notes to Editors
1. Every day another 100 people will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem, RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
2. Methodology. A sample 995 UK adults aged 16+ were interviewed between 6-8 August 2010 by research agency TNS. Respondents were asked who they would most like to read them a bedtime story. The survey was carried out by telephone. Data has been weighted to be representative of the UK population