Billy Connolly once famously worried how a guy who drives a snowplough gets to work in the morning. But in a deal announced today with TomTom, he might just be able to help out himself. One of Britain’s most popular comedians, the Big Yin is the newest voice of satellite navigation. He joins the growing line-up of voices available for use on devices made by TomTom, the world’s leading navigation solutions provider.
Over 40 million TomTom users can now download Billy’s voice as their trusted navigator, with indispensable advice such as: “Turn around when possible. It is advisable to turn your entire car around. Do not just turn around inside the car”.
The Big One reassures you he’s no impersonator. “This really is Billy Connolly. It’s not the creepy guy you get on cheap birthday cards. It’s my real voice. No swearing, no dirty bits, I’ll keep you safe”.
Billy Connolly said today: “You’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road, and I’ll be in Scotland afore ye with my wee canny sat nav”.
But he’ll have a go if you don’t follow his navigation instructions. “Make a U turn. None of this would have been necessary had you been listening a minute ago”. Or, more sardonically: “U turn ahead. I’ll be here when you get back”.
TomTom sat nav devices guide drivers with audible, turn-by-turn instructions and 3D maps, saving time and money through technical innovations such as IQ Routes. This is based on the world’s largest collection of historical speed profiles – 1.8 trillion speed measurements – across 15 million kilometres of European roads.
TomTom’s Live Services include HD Traffic for real-time traffic information across borders in seven European countries, updated every three minutes – as well as five day weather forecasts anywhere in Europe.
Billy Connolly can be downloaded from today for £8.99. Visit http://www.tomtom.com/billyconnolly to hear samples of the voice. Other available voices include John Cleese, Snoop Dogg, KITT, Burt Reynolds, Dennis Hopper, Kim Cattrall, Eddie Izzard, Sven Goran Eriksson – and even Homer Simpson.
-ENDS-
Billy Connolly’s sat nav instructions also include:
“After 300 yards you have reached your destination. You may thank me and remember that without me none of this would have been possible and you would have been hopelessly lost”
“Toll charge. I’m only doing my job. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
16 April, 2010
For further editorial information, high res image or broadcast quality voice files please contact Julien Speed or Grace Opong at Starfish Communications LLP on 020 7031 8146/8149 or by email: speed@starfishcommunications.com or opong@starfishcommunications.com
– Julien Speed 16-04-2010
Authors bio is coming up shortly.