Ted Elliott (voice over)

Ted Elliott (born 1953) is a British voice-over artist and music presenter. He is best known for presenting music programmes on Mercia Sound, Xtra AM, Heart FM, The Arrow (radio) and Radio Caroline. He was also a continuity announcer for Central Television.

Early life and career

Ted Elliott was born in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England, and attended Eastwood High School for Boys where he set up a small radio station in a stationery cupboard with the now BBC Radio 2 Steve Wright (DJ). The station was heard at lunchtimes over the schools PA system. After turning down the opportunity to become an assistant golf professional for a love of music, he left school at the age of 17 and joined Mother Mistro Music Publishers in London where he worked as a song plugger, securing airplay on artist releases. Following a short spell at Campbell Connelly publishers, he joined Carlin Music in 1973 (where he was known as Eddie Elliott), and achieved airplay and promotional success for many hit records including titles by Elvis Presley, The Three Degrees, Electric Light Orchestra and George Benson. His biggest success for Carlin came when he switched the B-side of a Stylistics record to become the A-side. The 'promoted' track, "You Make Me Feel Brand New" reached number two in the UK Singles Chart in July 1974. In 1977, he was invited to join a new music division at Chappells Music Publishers and promoted the soundtracks of Saturday Night Fever and Grease, securing airplay, TV promotion and artist interviews.

Radio and TV

Having become a mobile DJ at weekends and keen to try his hand as a radio presenter, Elliott joined cable station Radio Basildon in 1980 presenting a variety of programmes and providing voice-overs for commercials. This led to an invitation to join Chiltern Radio as Commercial Producer where he was responsible for writing and producing all local advertising. He then joined BRMB in Birmingham in a similar role, before joining Mercia Sound in Coventry in a dual role as Commercial Production Manager and Presenter. When BRMB and Mercia jointly created a new medium wave station ‘Xtra AM,’ Elliott was asked to present the night time show between 10 pm and 1 am as well as a specialist rock and roll show on Saturday afternoons. He also produced The Noddy Holder Show. Spin off work included shifts as a Continuity Announcer at Central Television, and Elliott eventually left Xtra AM to take a full-time position with Central ITV. He also provided the voice-over announcements on the live Friday evening programme, Central Weekend. During this period he wrote Shapes (An Introduction To Shaped Picture Disc Singles) which was published in 1993. In 1994, Elliott joined the launch team of the regional station 100.7 Heart FM and presented the morning show between 10 am and 1 pm. In 2001 he joined a new rock station The Arrow which broadcast nationally on DAB digital radio and the Sky radio platform and in 2009 he joined Radio Caroline.[1]

Voice-overs and production

Elliott's voice is heard throughout the UK, Europe and Middle East every day on a variety of radio and television commercials, documentaries and on-hold messages. He is also in demand as a 'Voice of God', providing pre recorded or live announcements at corporate events. While continuing to write and produce countless radio campaigns for many small advertisers and large brand names, he has written commercials for, recorded and produced many notable celebrities over the years including Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams, Alexei Sayle, Chris Tarrant and Sean Bean. Using his experience as a music publisher, Elliot has also negotiated the licensing of many well known music tracks for TV and radio advertisers.

References
  1. "Ted Elliott". Radiocaroline.co.uk.

Bibliography
  • Shapes (An introduction to shaped picture disc singles), Whitehouse Publications, ISBN 0-9522234-0-6

Other sources
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