One of Tayside’s most famous voices has reflected on six years as the UK’s speaking clock.
Millions still listen to Alan Steadman’s deep but crystal clear Scottish diction for the BT call service, which supplies the correct time within 30 microseconds.
He is the first Scot to hold the role and his Kirriemuir twang beat more than 6000 applicants in a competition in late 2016.
The Broughty Ferry resident still finds the whole situation a bit surreal but speaks of his immense pride and his surprise at the enjoyment his voice can give others.
‘Like being wrapped in a warm blanket’
A member of the judging panel that chose him for the role described his voice as “rich, deep, and trustworthy” adding she could “listen to him for hours”.
And Alan says he has received lots of similar compliments.
“Someone from a company I once worked with likened the sound as like being wrapped in a warm blanket,” he said.
“I liked that, I thought that was a great quote.”
The retired civil servant’s grandkids aged 15 and nine would testify to that and the voiceover artist thinks the pair like telling their friends about their claim to fame.
That’s even if they don’t necessarily see the point of the service, which is available by calling 123 from a BT/EE mobile or landline.
The 75-year-old says most young people he speaks to have never even heard of the service and are eager to find out more.
It came into existence in 1936 as the General Post Office (GPO) sought a method to settle disputes over time.
It now costs 50p per minute and among its many users are fire services across the UK who use it to keep accurate incident logs.
Peak times are at New Year and when the clocks change while Big Ben’s time is also checked against the clock.
Music promoter Alan, who last month was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Scottish Jazz Awards, is its fifth permanent voice.
‘I don’t like my own voice’
Surprisingly for someone whose voice is listened to 12 million times a year, he shares a cringe common in most of the population.
“I’m like anybody,” he says. “I don’t like my own voice.
“I still think it could be better, you know?
“But the speaking clock has been very good for me. It has led to more voice work which I really enjoy.
“People still shout ‘what’s the time?’ at me though when they see me and it takes me a minute to register they are having a joke.”
Since becoming the father of time, he has landed various voiceover advert jobs including for the United Arab Emirates, Historic Environment Scotland, and for the Scotland Office.
But he would “love” to one day record for a kid’s TV show, film, or audio book and is still holding out hope for such a chance.
For the time being he is just enjoying the role while continuing to work on local radio, including for the non-profit station Care Radio for NHS workers as well as paid and unpaid carers.
Conversation