Student gets voice with Brummie accent

Mr Wilson selected two voices to blend into his own after receiving 15 voice submissions

Two men who donated their voice to a student who communicates using text-to-speech software, have said they are humbled to create his new voice.

Christian Wilson, 22, has verbal dyspraxia, a difficulty in placing muscles in the correct position to produce speech.

Stephen Robotham, from Warwickshire, and Martin Brennan, from Birmingham, were selected to have their voices combined to create a digitised voice to replace the one Mr Wilson currently uses.

The University of Worcester student said he was thankful to his donors giving him "so much confidence in doing every day things".

He said having his unique human voice would allow him to complete tasks other people take for granted like "ordering a drink at a bar or contribute to a conversation."

The two voices will be combined by engineers at Speak Unique to create his new voice.

Mr Robotham said he felt proud he could help Mr Wilson on his journey to creating a voice that belonged to him.

“Although I’m donating my voice and words to Christian there’s not much I can say about it other than it’s just right, your heart goes," he added.

“To allow Christian to have his own unique voice would just be magnificent. Very humbling."

Mr Wilson was searching for a donor with a Birmingham and Warwickshire accent, as his late father was from Warwickshire and a Birmingham City supporter.

Mr Brennan said he was "humbled and happy to help" make his dream come true but joked that once he had a drink "I go very Brummie".

Mr Wilson hopes once he gets his new voice it will be a fresh start for him.

"I am currently looking for a job," he said. "This will now mean any interviews I might be lucky to get I can be me instead of a generic robot.

“I’m going to be less self conscious now and I can’t thank you both enough."