Pete Nottage
Pete Nottage is a voice over, presenter and writer – and one of the UK’s foremost experts in telling you that the news is next.
Over the last twenty years, he has become one of the most recognised voices in the country. He has written, voiced, recorded and broadcast thousands of hours of content across TV, radio and online for clients as varied as Peugeot, QVC, Manchester United and Noel Gallagher. He was one of the launch voices for the television channels More4 and 4Seven, introduced the television coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics and spent a decade as the station voice for BBC Radio 6Music.
His work as a Channel 4 announcer has consistently made headlines. He allowed his five-year-old to gatecrash an announcement, spent several months deliberately mispronouncing The Simpsons and most recently gained national plaudits for saying the phrase “…and Matt Hancock”.
His voiceover work stretches across multiple genres. From the comfort of his studio, he has voiced hundreds of commercials, explainer videos and promotional trailers, narrated enough brand case studies to satisfy anyone’s KPI and has learned how to pronounce more obscure medical words for eLearning modules than he cares to remember. He’s even been the voice of the Earth at the Science Museum. True story. He was opened by Prince Charles – and yes, we think that line sounds a bit rude too.
An experienced presenter, Pete has hosted multiple projects that have helped pay his mortgage. He drove across the world presenting content for Smart car, launched online promotional campaigns for Sony Ericsson and was part of the opening presenter lineup for StaffPad Radio.
He also creates online content. His Malcolm Tucker/Doctor Who mash-up video was featured on UK TV and in worldwide press, resulting in what all the experts agree was a ‘metric shit-tonne’ of views. His campaign against the low-balling of fees on the platform Fiverr was shared between members of the worldwide voiceover community – and his short-form web series The Curious Man’s Guide received very nice reviews although that was admittedly quite a while ago and we can’t find links to any of them any more so you’ll just have to trust us on that.
He has spoken about his work at the acclaimed One Voice Conference, has appeared on industry podcasts such as the Voiceover Social, Gravy For The Brain and The Media Podcast – and his work has helped win many BAFTA Craft and Sony Radio awards. Would it be a stretch to say that makes him an award-winner in his own right? Probably. Are we going to say it anyway? Of course we are.
PETE NOTTAGE – The Accidental Announcer
The Inside Voice of Television: A Conversation with Pete Nottage
In the bustling world of voice acting and television announcement, few roles remain as misunderstood as that of the continuity announcer. To shed light on this fascinating profession, we dive into a conversation with Pete Nottage, who has been the voice behind various UK television channels for close to 20 years. This blog post captures highlights from an enlightening podcast discussion featuring Pete alongside hosts Anthony Rudd and Margaret Ashley.
Introduction to Continuity Announcing
“Hello, hello, hello,” Anthony greets, setting the stage for a deep dive into the world of voice acting. Margaret introduces the day’s special guest, Pete Nottage, describing him as “the inimitable” – a term playfully debated between the hosts and Pete himself.
Pete smiles through the banter, embracing the term “imitable.” Within moments, the conversation steers into the heart of the world of continuity announcing.
Behind the Microphone: What Does a Continuity Announcer Do?
In Pete’s own words, a continuity announcer is a “conduit joining the televisual ecosystem.” Expounding on his role, Pete describes the responsibility of introducing TV programs, providing essential content warnings, and smoothly guiding viewers through a channel’s broadcast schedule. His job involves writing scripts that sound as natural as a conversation with a buddy at the pub, making every effort to connect authentically with the audience.
The conversation touches on challenges like real-time broadcast reactions during pivotal events such as the pandemic. With characteristic wit and humility, Pete recounts his experience navigating such “wankery,” as he humorously puts it, emphasizing the importance of a steady and genuine presence.
The Road to the Booth: Career Beginnings and Training in Radio
To Anthony and Margaret’s curiosity about Pete’s career path, he shares vivid memories of starting as a radio presenter in Macclesfield, working at Silk FM. His tenacity, Pete recalls, saw him persevere through early job challenges—like managing the Pepsi chart with a single button press every three hours—and earning wages that once amounted to a sandwich and cigarettes.
Training, he notes, was once a formal affair extending over a month, for honing the critical skill of writing effective junctions (transition scripts). These days, practical training is less abundant, demanding quick adaptation, with Pete lamenting some of the lost old-school rigor in today’s onboarding processes.
Evolutions in Continuity and Broadcasting
The podcast rounds out its rich dialogue with discussions on the evolving landscape of television, including shifts to digital platforms and the burgeoning role of AI in media. Pete shares thoughtful insights on the industry’s future, pondering about the continuity landscape in five to ten years amidst the rise of streaming services.
When asked about advice for aspiring announcers, Pete offers practical guidance: “Record yourself, try and listen back, and see where your USP is.” Enthusiasts should identify their unique voice and approach the industry with a readiness to adapt to varied channel “tones and feels.”
Conclusion: A Glimpse Forward
When hard pressed about his future goals, Pete humorously contemplates early retirement fantasies involving leisurely mornings and cups of tea. However, the continuity announcer admits a challenging but exciting uncertainty lies ahead, particularly as the voice industry encounters transformative technological trends.
This discussion offers a rare glimpse into the intricate craft of continuity announcing, a profession deeply intertwined with the everyday experiences of television viewers, enriching them with personality and an authentic human touch.
Join Margaret & Anthony next time on Voice Acting Unplugged.
©2025 Margaret Ashley – Your Friendly British Female Voice Actor in Purley, London