Percy Edwards MBE (1 June 1908 – 7 June 1996)[1] was an English animal impersonator,[2] entertainer and ornithologist.
Percy Edwards | |
|---|---|
Edwards on Morecambe and Wise | |
| Born | 1 June 1908 |
| Died | 7 June 1996 (aged 88) Hintlesham, Suffolk, England |
| Occupation(s) | Animal impersonator, entertainer, ornithologist |
Biography
editWhen he was a child, bird impressions were often done with the assistance of hands on the mouth, however he was able to do them without.[3] During World War II, Edwards worked at Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies in Ipswich.[4]
Edwards became a household name after playing Psyche the dog in the radio series A Life of Bliss,[5] which he reprised for its television adaptation. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1993 for services to ornithology and entertainment.[6] In 2009, Sir David Attenborough presented a special BBC radio panel game, The Percy Edwards Showdown, dedicated to Edwards's life and career.[2] He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's, Polstead, Suffolk.
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960-1961 | A Life of Bliss | Psyche the Dog | 10 episodes |
| 1965 | Pet Pals | Animal Sounds | 6 episodes |
| 1966 | Hugh and I | Voices | Episode “Hold That Tiger” |
| 1971 | The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer | Bird impersonator | Film |
| On the Buses | Bird Impressions | Episode “The Kids’ Outing” | |
| 1972 | His Lordship Entertains | Voices | Episode 4 “The Safari Park” |
| 1973 | The Morecambe and Wise Show | Jungle Sounds | 1 episode |
| 1976 | Wodehouse Playhouse | Bird Imitations | Episode “The Nodder” |
| The End of the Pier Show | Various | Episode “The 9.36 to Didcot” | |
| The Good Life | Animal Noises | Episode “The Happy Event” | |
| 1977 | The Goodies | The Dodo | Episode “Dodonuts” |
| 1979 | Alien | Alien Voices | Film, uncredited |
| 1981 | Hi-de-Hi! | Bubbles | Episode 7 “No Dogs Allowed” |
| The Ark Stories | Animal Sounds | 11 episodes | |
| The Island of Adventure | Kiki | Film | |
| 1982 | The Plague Dogs | Animal Vocalisations | Film |
| The Dark Crystal | Fizzgig | Film | |
| 1983 | Fair Ground! | Captain Cutlass | 9 episodes |
| Androcles and the Lion | The Lion's Voice | TV movie | |
| 1984-1985 | Hilary | Arthur | 4 episodes |
| 1985 | In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro | Baboon Voices | Film |
| 1986 | Sorry! | The Duck | Episode “My Family and Other Monsters” |
| Labyrinth | Ambrosius | Film | |
| 1988 | Bad Boyes | Joey the Budgie | Episode “The Holiday” |
Bibliography
edit- Call Me at Dawn (1948)
- The Birdman's Pocket Book (1954)
- The Road I Travelled (1979)
- Country Book (1981)
- Song Birds (1986)
References
edit- ^ Gifford, Denis (10 June 1996). "Obituary: Percy Edwards". The Independent. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Percy Edwards Showdown". BBC. 4 March 2009.
- ^ "BBC Archive (19th February 2017) "#Onthisday 1972: One-man vocal menagerie Percy Edwards showed off his range of animal impressions" - Twitter". Retrieved 15 August 2023.
- ^ "WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson". BBC History. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2008.
- ^ "Wogan's Radio Fun - Percy Edwards and Patricia Hayes". YouTube.
- ^ "Percy Edwards - Biography". Imdb.com. Retrieved 4 March 2009.