It’s a voice that has entertained an entire generation of children – and spawned a billion-pound industry that includes a film, theme park and merchandise franchise.
However, fans of Peppa Pig, one of the world’s most popular cartoon characters, might be surprised to learn that the voice behind the schoolgirl pig belongs to an 18-year-old medical student.
Cecily Bloom provided vocals for the cute pig between the years of 2006 and 2009 and is regarded by many as the definitive Peppa.
Peppa Pig, the hugely popular cartoon character who loves jumping in muddy puddles and playing with her brother George, was voiced by Cecily Bloom between 2006 and 2009
The teenager, currently a fresher at Cardiff University, has been opening up about her time playing Peppa; her voice remains the definitive version of Peppa according to some fans
Although her face is unknown, Bloom’s voice gave her a highly lucrative part-time job while she completed her studies.
Now 18, the fresher hopes to be a doctor one day, although Bloom looks back fondly on her time as a television favourite, safe in the knowledge that her voice has been heard in 150 countries around the globe.
When she got the part, Cecily said she had no idea how big the show was – in fact she hadn’t heard of it when she auditioned for the role aged seven.
‘I used to go to Stagecoach (acting school) when I was younger,’ she said.
‘I was offered an audition and I just went for a bit of fun and ended up getting the part.
‘The audition was really relaxed, I remember all I had to do was read Peppa’s lines from a script into a microphone, which was pretty cool because I’d never been in a recording studio before.
‘I had a really great time playing Peppa, mainly because the producers were always up for a laugh and made it fun. I didn’t have any idea how popular the show would become.’
Best Saturday job ever! Bloom says the producers of the show made sure filming was fun when she secured the role as a young schoolgirl
Fans would approach Bloom after hearing her speak and realising she sounded just like Peppa
Cecily – who also voiced Lizzie Elf on the hit animated series Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom – said she was still surprised to be asked for an autograph when people recognised her voice.
I was going to try and keep it quiet but I don’t think it will be too long before people find out.
‘The best thing was definitely messing about in the studio whilst recording, and visiting the animation studios to see how they put the show together,’ she said.
‘The only bizarre situations were when people ask for autographs, which I find strange because I’m really not a celebrity.’
Although she enjoyed being Peppa, she is now determined to embark on a medical career.
‘I enjoyed voice acting but it was just something I did for fun and was never really something I wanted to go into seriously,’ she said.
No more muddy puddles! Bloom says she’s serious about medicine and wouldn’t go back to acting
‘I want to do medicine because I think it will be a really interesting and rewarding career.’
So, will she be tempted to reveal all to her new roomats? Cecily says not: ‘I was going to try and keep it quiet but I don’t think it will be too long before people find out.’
And will she lapse into Peppa mode after a few drinks on a heavy night?
‘Haha, I really hope not, but who knows what could happen? Everyone asks me to do Peppa, but unfortunately my voice has changed quite a lot since playing Peppa, so my impression isn’t all that great.’