Ringo Starr may be known as one of the most successful musicians to have ever lived, but there is one role he took on during his extraordinary career that fans may be less aware of.
The Beatles legend achieved international success drumming with the Fab Four. As a solo artist Ringo has released twenty studio albums and sold millions of records. Included on the long list of achievements the 84-year-old can boast is his connection to one of the most famous children’s TV shows.
Ringo was the first narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He narrated the first and second series and played Mr. Conductor in the first series of Shining Time Station.
The Dingle native left his role on the show to focus on his solo career, leaving in 1990 to tour with the All Starr band. After which he was replaced by Michael Angelis in the UK and George Carlin in the US. In 2009, he returned to voice Thomas in The Official BBC Children in Need Medley.
On February 4, a post uploaded by Facebook group ‘Classic Memory Lane”, showed the Beatle posing in front of the tank engines in their model form. The post has achieved plenty of engagement with over 40,000 likes and over 1,000 comments. Many fans were surprised to find out the forgotten role the drummer had, while others reminisced and remembered the memories..
Ringo narrated Thomas the Tank Engine from 1984 to 1986 in the UK, and from 1989 to 1990 in the US. One comment said: “I had no idea a Beatle narrated this show” and another added “I actually didn’t know until now that Ringo narrated on this show.”
More surprised responses included “No flipping way?! Seriously? Sir Ringo and Carlin?! I have not known that” and “Ringo Starr was the voice of my childhood and I didn’t even know it.”
Others added “Wait really??? I grew up watching Thomas and never knew this” and “So many people don’t know this and I love telling them to blow their mind.”