Bryant, 46, from Hebburn, can be seen repeating the familiar phrases to Metro users in a video recently released by Nexus. They are pleasantly surprised and amused to hear him replicate the exact tone and timbre of the announcements. He also jokingly describes what it is like to hear his own voice on a commute.
The video comes as 46 brand-new trains have been added to the existing fleet, with the aim of replacing the fleet in full by 2026. Bryant’s voice can be heard announcing the stops in these trains too, and in the video he expresses his delight at hearing his voice in the new trains. He also praises the exciting design of the carriages.
Bryant is a professional voice artist, with his voice being used for the on-hold tone of Barclaycard and Newcastle building society. He also runs a Gateshead-based creative and video production agency. A former station manager at the university of Bradford’s student radio, he started out recording voiceovers for local radio adverts.
His voice has become commonplace for all regular Metro users. It can be heard all across the network, even in the loudspeakers for the ticket machines. Passengers have described it as “warm and soothing”.
Voice acting is a Bryant family affair; his wife Amanda is currently the voice of the Tyne Tunnel and has recorded for Sky Sports and ITV. His son William, 7, is the voice of Blueline Taxis, has even been nominated for a national voiceover artist award.