John Sparkes

Biography

John Sparkes is a legendary Welsh comedian, actor, and voice artist whose career has spanned over four decades of British comedy and global children's entertainment. He first rose to fame in the late 1980s as a founding member of the influential sketch group Absolutely and for his iconic character "Siadwel" on Naked Video. In Wales, he is a comedy institution, known for his long-running series Barry Welsh Is Coming, which earned him multiple BAFTA Cymru awards. His transition into voice acting has made him one of the most heard voices in the world, specifically through his work as the narrator of the global phenomenon Peppa Pig. Within the Aardman Animations universe, John is indispensable. He provides the distinctive "voice" (mostly through expressive grunts and hums) for both the long-suffering Farmer and his loyal, clipboard-carrying sheepdog, Bitzer, in the Shaun the Sheep franchise. To be honest, it is his incredible ability to convey deep personality and humor without a single line of traditional dialogue that has made these characters global icons. As of 2026, he remains a central figure in the studio's major productions, most recently reprising his role as the Farmer in the highly anticipated Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Known For

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