Throwback Thursday – Andy Talbot

We are relaunching our ‘Throwback Thursday’ feature with former student, Andy Talbot, who is now a freelance voice artist, voice actor, broadcaster, and automotive journalist.

Andy, a former Upholland High School pupil studied at Winstanley from 1983 to 1987, taking A-levels in Theatre Studies, Film Studies and Philosophy and Religion.

Andy says:   

“My happiest memory of my time at Winstanley is beginning a tradition of cabaret evenings with the drama teacher! I took part in all the opportunities available to me including a filmmaking activity, with actor Gary Oldman in our Theatre Studies class in January 1987 where I asked for advice on drama schools.

In 1987, I ended the year with a place on a film school BTEC HND and a theatre course with BA Honours.  I had to choose.  I chose the latter because it was a degree and at the renowned Bretton Hall. 

I studied alongside The League of Gentlemen/Inside No.9 guys at Bretton Hall gaining a Dramatic Arts BA Honours in 1990. Then I moved onto a PGCE, also at Bretton Hall from ’91 to ’92.

I once returned to Winstanley to cover Theatre Studies for 4 months in the late 90s. It was weird sitting alongside teachers that had taught me 10 years after leaving. 

Today, I’m a freelance voice artist, voice actor, broadcaster, and motoring writer.  For the last few years, I’ve had regular TV work including over 200 regular episodes of TV a year for ITV, Sky, Discovery, and ESPN. Previous voice work has included being the voice of Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo! As an automotive journalist I also specialise in classic cars for magazines and online. 

My advice to Winstanley students hoping to pursue a similar path to me is to make yourself extra-ordinary. Gain as many ‘skills’ as possible and be employable for what you can offer. Nothing comes to you…. you have to go out and seize opportunities or even make them. Exams are useful and open doors, but they don’t complete you. You must wedge open those doors to opportunity and stay the right side of them. Seize every opportunity and concentrate on what you are doing not what others are.”

Andy is part of Winstanley’s extensive alumni network who support current students through visits, workshops and work experience. If you are a former student keen to get involved, please email marketing@winstanley.ac.uk