Percy Edwards | |
Honorific Suffix: | MBE |
Birth Date: | 1 June 1908 |
Birth Place: | Ipswich, Suffolk, England |
Death Place: | Hintlesham, Suffolk, England |
Occupation: | Animal impersonator, entertainer, ornithologist |
Percy Edwards (1 June 1908 - 7 June 1996)[1] was an English animal impersonator,[2] entertainer and ornithologist.
When 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.
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” |