May 31st 2024.
Peppa Pig, the beloved children's TV show, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. One of the most recognizable voices in the country, Richard Ridings, has been voicing the iconic character of Daddy Pig for all these years. Being such a well-known figure comes with its own set of challenges and unexpected moments, but Richard has managed to keep his real identity a secret from his adoring young fans.
Despite his efforts to remain anonymous, Richard has had some interesting encounters with fans who recognize his voice in everyday situations like supermarkets. However, there was one particular request that he had to turn down, which he found to be a bit strange and not fitting for his character. In an interview with The Agency, Richard shared, "There was one weird one actually...about some husband that wanted me to say something to his wife, but I wasn't sure about that one, it was a bit strange, a bit kinky...I don't do kinky."
But for the most part, the requests are usually for birthday messages or Christmas greetings, which Richard receives in abundance. When asked if he ever thought he would become one of the most famous voices of all time, Richard humbly replied, "No, how can you? How can you think such a thing? I still don't believe it!"
It's not just children who recognize Richard's voice, as he shared an unexpected encounter with music producers on a group Zoom call. "Someone came and said, 'Oh my god, I've just realized you're Daddy Pig,' and someone else chimed in and said, 'I recognized you from Common as Muck,' which is a TV series I did years ago. I said, 'Yeah, but I'm not here for that, I'm here for music!'" Richard laughed.
Although he's used to being recognized by children, Richard's daughter once experienced a funny moment in a supermarket when a little girl tugged on her mother's shirt, saying, "I can hear Daddy Pig." Richard shared, "So every now and then, you get parents saying, 'Oh, will you say hello?'"
Voicing Daddy Pig has been a joy for Richard, as he's grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a beloved show. "It's so lovely because there are very few times where people go, 'Uh...Daddy Pig.' Most of the time it's like, 'Oh my god, it's lovely,' or 'Oh my god, my kids love that,' or 'Oh my god, I remember that when I was a little person.' It's just such a lovely thing to be involved with. I wake up every day and express my gratitude for being a part of it. It's just lovely."
Despite his success as Daddy Pig, Richard's acting career began long before Peppa Pig. He rose to fame through various TV shows and films like Red Dwarf, Common As Muck, and Fat Friends. He also played Buck in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, joking that he specializes in animals.
When he was first introduced to Peppa Pig in 2004, Richard had no idea that it would become the global phenomenon that it is today. "At the time, I thought a family of pigs was a bit weird," he confessed. "But as soon as you see it, you get it, and hear the script and how witty they are, it does make sense." Despite his initial doubts, Richard was drawn to the show and wanted to be a part of it, even if it was just in a small way. He never could have imagined that it would become such a huge success worldwide.
In the beginning, Richard was shown scripts and animatronics, giving him a glimpse of what producers had in mind for the show. However, he admits that there was a slight worry that people might not understand or appreciate it. "They showed me the scripts and what they had in mind, and showed me The Big Knights which I think is actually the reason the BBC didn't go for Peppa," Richard explained. "Because in that show, they go around trying to save people even if they don't want to be saved in this kind of weird medieval Central European country. It's not nonspecific, but it's very, very funny."
Peppa Pig, the beloved children's TV show, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and one of its most recognized voices, Richard Ridings, who plays Daddy Pig, is reflecting on his time in the iconic role. While being a recognizable figure in the country has its drawbacks, Richard has managed to keep his real identity a secret from the adoring children who watch the show.
Despite being a popular voice, Richard has had some interesting encounters with fans. In a recent interview, he shared one bizarre request he received from a fan asking him to say something to their spouse. Richard found this request a bit strange and turned it down, not wanting to betray his character's wholesome persona. However, he often gets requests to record messages for birthdays and holidays, which he happily obliges.
When asked about becoming one of the most famous voices of all time, Richard admits he never thought it would happen. He still can't believe the level of fame and recognition he has received from his role as Daddy Pig. Even adults recognize Richard's voice, like the time he was on a group zoom call with music producers, and someone exclaimed, "Oh my god, you're Daddy Pig!" It turns out, they recognized him from a TV series he did years ago, showing the broad reach of Peppa Pig's popularity.
While he may be more used to being recognized by children, Richard does recall a time when his daughter was tugging on her mother's shirt in a supermarket, saying she could hear Daddy Pig. Parents also often ask him to say hello to their children, and Richard finds it heartwarming to see the joy his character brings to young fans.
When asked about playing Daddy Pig, Richard describes it as "lovely." He appreciates being a part of such a beloved show and feels grateful every day. But before Peppa Pig, Richard had already made a name for himself in TV shows and films, often playing characters related to animals. However, when he was first approached for Peppa Pig, he admits he thought it sounded a bit strange, but as soon as he saw the script and the wit behind it, he was hooked.
He never could have imagined the show's massive success when he first joined in 2004. Richard remembers being shown the scripts and animatronics and thinking it would be a family show, but he never could have predicted its worldwide success. However, he does recall that the BBC was hesitant to pick up the show, as they were already airing another show, The Big Knights, which had a similar premise. But in the end, Peppa Pig's charm won them over.
Overall, Richard feels grateful for his time as Daddy Pig and is proud to be a part of such a beloved show. He hopes to continue bringing joy to children and families for many more years to come.
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