Blessed to Provide Sat Nav Voice for TomTom

Beloved British thespian Brian Blessed is to take on a new role as an optional voice for TomTom satellite navigation systems. The company was swayed by a Facebook campaign, in which 25,000 social networkers felt the best use of their time was to build a petition for Prince Vultan from 1980s cult film favourite Flash Gordon to tell them when they’re driving the wrong way in his signature booming baritone.

Blessed, for his part, was delighted: “This is me, Brian Blessed, I’m the real thing, the real McCoy! Real beard, it’s not stuck on, and it’s my nose. I just want to say thank you, thank you ever so much. I’m really thrilled to bits, I’m going to make a great job of it,” he told anyone within a five-mile radius.

He added: “I can’t remember all your names, 25,000 people, but I do remember Mary, and Fred of course – all you wonderful people. Thank you ever so much.”

Coming back for more, the Shakespearian stage actor concluded to the Facebookers who made it happen: “This is Brian Blessed, Gordon’s Alive! I’m thrilled to bits, we’re going to make a great success of this – it’s absolutely marvellous and thrilling, thank you ever so much, I’m very grateful.”