Paddy Ashdown has become a voiceover artist

Testing, testing, one, two, three …

Paddy Ashdown has enjoyed a remarkable career – from Royal Marine to intelligence officer to leader of the Liberal Democrats, he’s done it all. Now the chairman of the party’s 2015 election campaign is expanding his CV to include the role of voiceover artist, much to the annoyance of his fellow Lib Dems.

I’m all ears.

Lord Ashdown, 73, who led the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1999, has signed up to a London-based voiceover company. Soho Voices, which unveiled its new signing to the world over the weekend, promises: “Paddy is a genuine voice of reason … his calm distinctive tones bring real gravitas to any conversation.”

Some people might prefer the strong and silent type…

“It is concerning that, 100 days before the election, the chair of our general election campaign may not be giving 100 per cent to the campaign but pursuing a voiceover career instead,” said Naomi Smith, chair of the Social Liberal Forum, the biggest grouping of grass-roots party activists. “His priority should be on helping our MPs facing very tough battles to hold their seats.”

Did he use his “calm distinctive tones” to smooth things over?

Actually he explained that his agents had suggested he do a voice test after he recorded an audio version of his book, The Cruel Victory. He said he doubted he’d get many offers.

Modesty, thy name is Paddy!

He added that if anybody was interested they should approach his agent. “If it is something I want to do, I will do it,” he said.

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