Philip Elsmore
Encyclopedia
Philip Elsmore in Stourport-on-Severn
, Worcestershire
) was a continuity announcer on Thames Television
between its inception in 1968 and the station's demise in 1992, having made both the first and last continuity announcements for the station. After National Service with the RAF in West Germany, he trained as an actor, playing minor roles and understudying at the Old Vic, followed by repertory and tours.
In 1963 he started work as a freelance continuity announcer and over several decades became one of Britain's most familiar voices lending his avuncular and saintly tones to a number of Independent Television regions including Border and Tyne Tees.
He previously announced on ABC Weekend Television
, which was the main influence on what became Thames, and he announced for Southern Television
at weekends while London Weekend Television
was on air in London. Since 1992, he has concentrated on reviving his original career as an actor, although he announced on Westcountry Television
for a time.
As an actor, Elsmore has had parts in films including Whodunnit (1976) alongside Pauline Quirke
, and on TV in The Bill
and Lovejoy
. He has also written for the stage and still works to this day providing voice-overs for various DVD releases.
In 2006, Elsmore provided the narration for Mordant Music's album Dead Air.
His voice was heard in the opening episode of a Thames situation comedy from 1969-70 called Two In Clover which starred Sid James
and Victor Spinetti
. He is heard introducing the characters to the viewers.
Stourport-on-Severn
Stourport-on-Severn, often shortened to Stourport, is a town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District of North Worcestershire, England, a few miles to the south of Kidderminster and down stream on the River Severn from Bewdley...
, Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
) was a continuity announcer on Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
between its inception in 1968 and the station's demise in 1992, having made both the first and last continuity announcements for the station. After National Service with the RAF in West Germany, he trained as an actor, playing minor roles and understudying at the Old Vic, followed by repertory and tours.
In 1963 he started work as a freelance continuity announcer and over several decades became one of Britain's most familiar voices lending his avuncular and saintly tones to a number of Independent Television regions including Border and Tyne Tees.
He previously announced on ABC Weekend Television
Associated British Corporation
Associated British Corporation was one of a number of commercial television companies established in the United Kingdom during the 1950s by cinema chain companies in an attempt to safeguard their business by becoming involved with television which was taking away their cinema audiences.In this...
, which was the main influence on what became Thames, and he announced for Southern Television
Southern Television
Southern Television was the first ITV broadcasting licence holder for the south and south-east of England from 30 August 1958 until the night of 31 December 1981. The company was launched as Southern Television Limited and the title Southern Television was consistently used on-air throughout its life...
at weekends while London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
was on air in London. Since 1992, he has concentrated on reviving his original career as an actor, although he announced on Westcountry Television
Westcountry Television
Westcountry Television, is the ITV franchise holder in the South West of England, replacing its predecessor, TSW , from the 1 January 1993...
for a time.
As an actor, Elsmore has had parts in films including Whodunnit (1976) alongside Pauline Quirke
Pauline Quirke
Pauline Perpetua Quirke is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Sharon in the comedy series Birds of a Feather, alongside her lifelong friend and frequent acting partner Linda Robson...
, and on TV in The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
and Lovejoy
Lovejoy
Lovejoy is a TV series about the adventures of Lovejoy, a British antiques dealer and faker based in East Anglia, a less than scrupulous yet likeable rogue. The episodes were based on a series of picaresque novels by John Grant...
. He has also written for the stage and still works to this day providing voice-overs for various DVD releases.
In 2006, Elsmore provided the narration for Mordant Music's album Dead Air.
His voice was heard in the opening episode of a Thames situation comedy from 1969-70 called Two In Clover which starred Sid James
Sid James
Sid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
and Victor Spinetti
Victor Spinetti
Victor Spinetti is a Welsh comic actor.-Early life:Spinetti was born in Cwm, Ebbw Vale, Wales of Welsh and Italian heritage from a grandfather who was said to have walked from Italy to Wales to work as a coal miner...
. He is heard introducing the characters to the viewers.