Alan Dedicoat is a British announcer from Hollywood, England, for programmes on BBC One. He is known as the "Voice of the Balls" on the National Lottery programmes, providing a voiceover for the draws since 1995.[1] He was a BBC Radio 2 newsreader until his retirement from this role in March 2015. Since their inceptions in May 2004 and June 2005 respectively, Dedicoat has been the announcer on the BBC One reality TV competition Strictly Come Dancing and its American version Dancing with the Stars.
Alan Dedicoat | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Announcer, newsreader |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Employer | BBC |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editDedicoat was born in Hollywood in Worcestershire.[2] The son of a newsagent, Dedicoat was educated at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham, and the University of Birmingham.[2] Dedicoat originally worked in the Civil Service as an executive officer, before joining the BBC.[3]
Career
editRadio
editDedicoat joined BBC Radio WM at Pebble Mill in 1979 as a presenter, before moving to BBC Radio Devon four years later. After working in the West Country, he moved to London to join the Presentation Department of BBC Radio 2 in 1986 at Broadcasting House.[2] and later became its head, a position he retained until his retirement in 2015. Dedicoat acquired the nickname "Voice of the Balls" from presenter Sir Terry Wogan.[2] As part of this job, he read the news on BBC Radio 2's weekday breakfast programme, Wake Up to Wogan, until its final edition in December 2009.
In September 2023, Dedicoat joined Portsmouth-based Victory Online where he currently hosts a Sunday morning show titled the "Sunday Supplement."
Television
editIn 1994, the National Lottery and its draw programmes were launched on BBC Television. The following year, Dedicoat began working as the show's announcer.[1]
Controversy
editIn 2015, a recording of Dedicoat was obtained by The Sun newspaper, in which he allegedly claimed that the BBC allowed a "drug peddler" to deliver Class A substances to the desks of staff. He subsequently apologised and retracted his comments.[4]
Personal life
editDedicoat is the co-owner of multiple examples of the AEC Routemaster (the best-known London red bus) with fellow broadcasters Charles Nove, Ken Bruce and Steve Madden.[5] He is Patron of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, and has taken part in the National Hospital Radio Awards, both as the voiceover and in person. In addition, Dedicoat is the president of Hospital Radio Bedside, a hospital radio station broadcasting to hospitals in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Wimborne in the UK.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b "Alan Dedicoat". theedge-uk.com. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d "BBC – Radio 2 – Presenters – Alan Dedicoat". BBC. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "Alan Dedicoat". Jillie Bushell Associates. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ "BBC announcer claims staff have Class A drugs delivered to their desk – then backtracks". The Independent. 29 October 2015. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
- ^ The red brigade, The Guardian 9 April 2005
- ^ Durkin, Jim (1 March 2014). "Poole Hospital radio staff walking on air after four decade milestone". Bournemouth Daily Echo. Retrieved 28 July 2014.