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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Rachel McGrath

Wallace and Gromit creator explains how late Queen Elizabeth shaped show

  • Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park resisted pressure from Hollywood executives to replace octogenarian actor Peter Sallis as the voice of Wallace.
  • Park revealed he was encouraged to keep Sallis by Queen Elizabeth II, who told him to hang on to the actor during a lunch celebrating her 80th birthday.
  • Executives at DreamWorks had questioned whether an older actor would appeal to children and also suggested swapping Wallace's Austin A35 for an American pickup truck.
  • Sallis continued voicing the eccentric inventor until his retirement due to ill health in 2010, when Ben Whitehead took over the role.
  • The character of Gromit is set to gain a voice after 37 years, with actor Martin Freeman narrating the audiobook for the silent dog's new memoir.

IN FULL

Wallace and Gromit creator says late Queen spoke out when Hollywood tried to replace Wallace voice star

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