14-05-2025
Doctor Who, Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig legend whose iconic voice entertained millions leaves staggering amount in his will
A Thunderbirds and Doctor Who legend left a stunning £1.2million in his will.
David Graham, who died last year aged 99, was famed as the voice of the Daleks and was beloved as Grandpa on Peppa Pig.
On Thunderbirds he starred as Lady Penelope's chauffeur and reformed safecracker Parker - as well as voicing Gordon Tracey and Brains, the technical genius behind International Rescue.
Probate documents show Mr Graham left an estate with a net value of £1,235,001 - while the gross value rose to £1,242,770.
Among the beneficiaries are his nephew Jonathan Smith, who received 20 per cent, and his niece Elizabeth Rehfeld, who received 30 per cent. Both now live in the US.
Further, smaller percentages were given to were given to friends, including the actor Christopher Benjamin, who also appeared in Doctor Who.
In a touching dedication, Mr Graham told his pal: 'I would like Christopher to know that this small gift is a token of my gratitude for his devoted friendship to me throughout my professional life. Man has no better friend.'
Mr Benjamin died in January this year, before he would have been able to read the inscription.
He further donated money to a raft of charities, including the Prostate Cancer Charity, the Nightingale House Home for the Ages Jews, the North London Hospice, the Medical Foundation for the Victims of Torture, Jewish Care, Save the Children Fund, World Jewish Relief and the Actors Benevolent Fund.
The remaining money dictated in the will, which was made in 2010, was to be given to his sister Ruth, and she were to die before him it would pass to her children Elizabeth and Jonathan.
David's distinctive cockney accent and loyal but mischievous character became one of Thunderbird's most beloved elements.
Although primarily known for his voice work, Graham also appeared on screen in various British television series. He had roles in dramas, comedies, and crime shows such as The Saint and The Avengers.
For his role as Grandpa Pig, his TV character was married to Granny Pig and was father to Mummy Pig and Aunt Dottie.
He reprised his role as Parker in Thunderbirds, the CGI-animated reboot of the classic series that premiered in 2015.
Taking to X, the profile of the late creator of Thunderbirds, Gerry, confirmed his passing on Friday by posting: 'We're incredibly sad to confirm the passing of the legendary David Graham.'
'The voice Parker, Gordon Tracy, Brains and so many more. David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment. We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David's friends and family.'
Mr Graham explained his inspiration for Parker in a 2019 appearance on Good Morning Britain.
He performed the role ever since his first meeting with Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson in the 1960s.
Speaking about their first interactions, he said: 'Well I was doing a TV film, rather ropey script, and he said to me during the shoot that he was hoping to make children's films so I said well I'm not bad at voices and accents.'
TV presenter Ben, then went on to discuss the voice of Parker and asked David if he and Gerry both worked on it together.
He said: 'The voice of Parker is so distinctive as well, did you and Jerry work on that together? Was it your idea?'
To which David revealed: 'He took me to a pub and there was an old guy waiting on tables and he came up and said "Would you like to see the wine list, sir?"'
David then laughed and added: 'So that was the birth of Parker. I kind of enriched the voice. That was the birth of him'.
Mr Graham was also a member of Lawrence Olivier's company at the National Theatre.
His successful career also included providing the voice for Wise Old Elf and Mr Gnome for Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom, shown in the UK on Channel 5.
He also had brief appearances in ITV's Coronation Street, The Bill and London's Burning and BBC dramas Doctors and Casualty.
Gerry Anderson passed away in 2012 aged 69 from a long illness.
