Sir David Attenborough has the nation's favourite voice, poll claims
Donald Trump topped poll of most annoying voices, followed by Keith Lemon
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.National treasure Sir David Attenborough has the nation’s favourite voice, it has emerged.
The 92-year-old broadcaster beat Hollywood great Morgan Freeman to claim the top spot.
In third place was actor and author Stephen Fry, followed by Dame Judi Dench and former James Bond Sir Sean Connery.
Other famous names to make the top 50 list include former US president Barack Obama, movie legend Samuel L Jackson and the Queen.
A spokesman for Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, which carried out the survey, said: “We recognise how different voices sound and have our own personal favourites, from the inspirational and most trustworthy to those that soothe and move us emotionally.
“The power of the spoken word can’t be underestimated. Communication is an essential part of our mental wellbeing, which is why it is so important that we take care of our hearing throughout our lives.”
Despite Dame Judi’s high ranking, the top 20 favourite voices are dominated by men and home grown talent, with Freeman, Mr Obama and Samuel L Jackson the only Americans to feature.
Idris Elba, heavily tipped to become the next James Bond, made it to number 11 in the list with Welsh singer Tom Jones close behind.
The top preference for women’s voices is soft, upbeat and husky, which fits with the few that made the top 20, including Joanna Lumley OBE, the Queen and Dame Helen Mirren.
For men, the top preferences are deep, slow and soft.
Donald Trump topped the poll of most annoying voices, closely followed by Celebrity Juice host Keith Lemon.
Most people (72 per cent) said they do not like hearing recordings of their own voice and more than half of those polled had judged people solely on their voice.
Most surprisingly, a quarter admitted they struggle to hear what people say to them when talking face to face.
And over half of those polled had never had their hearing checked.
Top 50 greatest voices:
- Sir David Attenborough
- Morgan Freeman
- Stephen Fry
- Dame Judi Dench DBE
- Sir Sean Connery
- Brian Blessed OBE
- Joanna Lumley OBE
- Barack Obama
- David Tennant
- Sir Billy Connolly CBE
- Idris Elba
- Sir Tom Jones OBE
- The Queen
- Dame Helen Mirren DBE
- Liam Neeson OBE
- Sir Anthony Hopkins CBE
- Samuel L Jackson
- Hugh Grant
- Dame Julie Andrews DBE
- Sir Ian McKellen CBE
- Benedict Cumberbatch CBE
- Tom Hanks
- Nigella Lawson
- Ewan McGregor OBE
- Holly Willoughby
- James Earl Jones
- Dame Maggie Smith DBE
- Moira Stewart OBE
- Alexander Armstrong
- Robert De Niro
- Tom Baker
- Hugh Jackman
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Tom Hiddleston
- Dawn French
- Harrison Ford
- Gareth Southgate
- Mary Berry CBE
- Jim Broadbent
- Jeremy Irons
- Mariella Frostrup
- Lorraine Kelly OBE
- Cerys Matthews
- Meryl Streep
- Kelsey Grammer
- Al Pacino
- Christopher Walken
- Cheryl Cole
- Jennifer Lawrence
- Susanna Reid
South West News Service
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments