Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Ellen Kirwin

EastEnders Amelie Bea Smith is new voice of Peppa Pig as Harley Bird quits after 13 years

After 13 years in the role, Harley Bird quit yesterday as the voice of Peppa Pig.

Harley performed as Peppa in the international kids programme since she was just five years old, but now aged 18 she has confirmed it's time to move on.

The teen appeared in 185 episodes and earned a BAFTA back in 2011 for her work.

Now she will be replaced by EastEnders actress Amelie Bea Smith, who is nine years old. Amelia has said taking over as the voice is a "dream come true".

(PA)

Amelie will first appear in a Peppa Pig episode next month.

Her agent Mark Jermin said: "Amelie has been a huge fan of the show since she was little, so voicing the title role is like a dream come true and she's thrilled to become part of the voice cast."

Peppa Pig co-creators Neville Astley and Mark Baker said: "We're delighted to welcome Amelie to the Peppa Pig voice cast and confident that she will continue the strong legacy of the previous Peppa voice actors.

Harley Bird was the voice of children's animated TV character Peppa Pig for 13 years (DAILY MIRROR)

"Lily Snowden-Fine defined the role when she first voiced the character in series one at age five."

 They added: "Lily passed the baton to Cecily Bloom for series two before handing the reins to Harley Bird.

"As our longest-standing Peppa, Harley's award-winning contribution to the show over the past 13 years has been tremendous, making her a key part of the success of Peppa Pig."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.