h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"And Peter Jones as the Book" thus ended the credits of the first episode of a certain radio show on BBC Radio 4 on 8 March 1978. Perhaps the most remarkable, certainly the most sucessful voice of any guide book to feature on Radio, Peter went on to reprise his role in the Television series. His career started at the age of 16 he got his first acting job at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, but it did not last long. He was sacked after five minutes. By the end of World War II when he appeared in 'Fanny by Gaslight'. The best known televisual on-screen performance was as Mr. Fenner in 'The Rag Trade' but this highly remarkable man needed only his dry voice to convey a certain quirkiness yet believeability to his audience. For over 25 years he was part of the golden quartet on 'Just a Minute' http://www.h2g2.com/A255539 now sadly leaving only Sir Clement Fraud of the four. But he was also the question master on 'Twenty Questions'.

He died aged 79 on 10 April 2000 after a short illness. To tell the story of this man, it is best to tell the story of the mind behind it. A human from the planet earth, who brought a smile to us all.

Just heard about Peter, as a Radio 4 listener the words "Sad loss." just don't make it. Over the years we have enjoyed his welcome contributions to 'Just a minute', (His dry wit and distinctive manner of speech ensuring his permanent spot on the team.) and as 'The Voice of the book.' in both the Radio and Television versions of the 'Hitch Hikers Guide'. To me and I'm sure to many others, Peter's unique tones will always will represent 'The Guide', So much so that I have sat late into the night listening to 'Open University' broadcasts just
because they had Peter do a 'Guide' styled voice-over to accompany their explaninitory graphics. The man will be greatly missed.

Ah, Peter, your voice and wit brought pleasure to countless listeners/viewers through the mists of time. You will be in our souls, always.

Rest in Peace.

daSilva

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Ah, Peter, your voice and wit brought pleasure to countless listeners/viewers through the mists of time. You will be in our souls, always.

Rest in Peace.

daSilva

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Thanks everyone.

JTG

To regular listeners of "Just a Minute", it was apparent that Peter was on some form of medication for the last couple of years... The shows were recorded in blocks of two or three at a given location, and my friends and I would joke about being able to tell when the "pills were kicking in" as Peter started out befuddled in the first show, became extremely sharp and lucid by about 10 minutes into the second show in the sequence, then sort of tailed off...

Even taking this into account, he still managed to outshine all the new, young players with his erudite wit and narrative invention. Sadly missed.

Thanks Peet. I'm going to post everybody's contributions on a Peter Jones page, linked from the Obituary page, so that everyone gets a fair shake.

http://www.h2g2.com/A296804

JTG

Well done John. Lets hope we won't have to add other cast members for a long time to come.