By Grant Smith

AT THE third stroke tomorrow night it could be…time for Dundee man Scott Crawford to celebrate his voice becoming one of the most famous in the world.

The 29-year-old disc jockey has made it on to the 15-strong shortlist to be the new voice of BT’s speaking clock.

He was one of more than 18,000 people to enter a contest to mark the 70th anniversary of the service and to raise money for Children In Need.

If he wins, he will become only the sixth person to lend their voice to the clock.

There have been three long-term recordings used, plus brief charity fund-raisers by comedian Lenny Henry and the only Scot to date, Alicia Rowland from Renfrewshire, who was 12 when she took over for a week for ChildLine.

Scott, who works in city pubs and clubs, said, “It feels fantastic to be shortlisted. I’ve been considering a career as a voiceover artist and this might help.

“I entered because I’ve always liked doing things with my voice but I never really believed I’d hear anything more about it. I’m flabbergasted to have made the final 15. I feel like I’m going to explode!”

Only one other Scot, 34-year-old Tracy Cunningham from Glasgow, is on the shortlist. The result of the contest will be announced during the annual Children in Need appeal on BBC One on Friday evening.

The judging panel includes the current voice, Brian Cobby, who has held the honour since 1986. His other claim to fame is being the announcer who says “5,4,3,2,1…Thunderbirds Are Go!” at the start of the popular TV show.

BT chairman Sir Christopher Bland and BBC presenters Natasha Kaplinsky and Alan Dedicoat, the voice of the lottery, are also on the panel.

Beth Courtier, from BT, said, “First of all, we’d like to thank all the thousands of people who entered this competition to become the new voice of the BT speaking clock. They have helped raise crucial funds for BBC Children In Need.

“It’s going to be terribly difficult to choose the new voice because the speaking clock is a national treasure.”

The speaking clock has operated continuously since July 27, 1936. It is accurate to one five-thousandth of a second.

The original machine took up a room, but the new digital unit is the size of a small suitcase.