series Vic Reeves Big Night Out, The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer and Shooting Stars, and appeared in and voiced numerous commercials for house builder Barratt Homes and car manufacturers Ford and British Leyland among many others. His voice-over work led him to start up his own business, running a very successful recording studio for voice-over work. Allen's voice was heard at the beginning of videocassettes distributed in the UK by Video Network in the 1980s, welcoming viewers and reading an anti-copying warning. He also narrated the first series of Blackadder, and appeared in the last episode 'The Black Seal' as Edmund's nemesis, Phillip of Burgundy – known to his enemies as "The Hawk". He provided the narration (the voice of Captain Star) for the 1989 children's series TUGS. Allen remained uncredited for his work, which was revealed in an interview with the show's producer Robert D. Cardona. In 2005, he became the voice of the British television channel E4, providing voiceovers for many of its idents and promotions. That year, he did an altered re-recording of the Two Tribes version of the Protect and Survive narration for German cover band Welcome to the Pleasuredome, which is featured in their live performances. He was also the voice of the Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on XFM, the late show on 103.2 Power FM, Hirsty's Daily Dose on Galaxy Yorkshire and briefly Virgin Radio. Personal life Allen married actress Sarah Lawson in 1960, together the couple had two sons, Stephen and Stuart. Death Allen died on the morning of 28 July 2006 at age 79. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Filmography Blackbeard the Pirate (1952) - Undetermined Role (uncredited) Battle Circus (1953) - British Officer (uncredited) World for Ransom (1954) - Soldier (uncredited) Dial M for Murder (1954) - Detective Pearson Confession (1955) - Corey Cross Channel (1955) - Hugo Platt King's Rhapsody (1955) - Richard's Companion in Theatre Box (uncredited) 1984 (1956) - Inner Party Official Wicked as They Come (1956) - Willie The Baby and the Battleship (1956) - Mate (uncredited) High Tide at Noon (1957) - Charles MacKenzie The Long Haul (1957) - Joe Easy The Mark of the Hawk (1957) - Gregory High Hell (1958) - Luke Fulgham The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1958) - Jim Kennedy Dunkirk (1958) - Sergeant on Parade Ground Tread Softly Stranger (1958) - Paddy Ryan I Was Monty's