Benjamin "Ben" Small (born on 1st January 1971 in Bristol, England, UK) is a British voice actor descending from Canadian stock. He provided voices for characters in both the UK and US dubs of Thomas & Friends until the end of the eighteenth series.
Departure from the Series
In mid 2014, his contract with HiT Entertainment was not renewed and the executives wanted to look for a fresh new voice for Thomas, despite the fact Small would provide voices for other characters. John Hasler would take over the role for Thomas in 2015, Hasler would also take over Small's role of Rheneas. Rob Rackstraw took over the role of Toby in the UK, as well as Owen and Flynn for both the UK and US. Various different voice actors took over for Stanley in the US, before the role permanently went to Rob Rackstraw. Christopher Ragland took over the role of the Troublesome Trucks in both the UK and US. Steven Kynman took over the role of Charlie in the US.
Despite his departure from the show, he still voiced Thomas in a few live shows. Most notably, Small would voice for a Christmas live show in Nex Mall, Singapore named Thomas' World of Adventure, a live show specifically promoting the Big World! Big Adventures! retooling of the original series despite John Hasler already providing the role in the original series.
Voices
UK
- Thomas (2009-2015)
- Henry (declined)
- Percy (declined)
- Toby (2009-2015)
- Ferdinand (2010-2012)
- Some Sodor United Team Players (Pingy Pongy Pick Up)
US
- Stanley (Surprise, Surprise and Samson at Your Service)
- Charlie (2012-2014)
UK/US
- Rheneas (2012-2015)
- Flynn (2013)
- Troublesome Trucks (2012-2014)
- Owen (2012-2014)
Songs
Series 18
- I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside (performed)
Miscellaneous
- Party Time (performed)
- Never, Never, Never Give Up (performed)
- The Wheels on Thomas (performed)
Filmography
Film
Television
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Trivia
- He also narrated the UK versions of the Guess Who? Puzzles between the thirteenth and sixteenth series.
- He also performs the song, The Wheels on Thomas, which can only be heard at Day Out with Thomas events and stage plays in the UK.
- HiT Entertainment wanted him to concentrate on voicing Thomas alone, but it was later decided that he could also voice Toby if he wished to do so. This then snowballed because HiT wanted to have the same voices for some characters in both the UK and US versions. He auditioned to voice Thomas in the US version, but Martin Sherman was chosen instead.
- Small said in an interview with the Sodor Island Fansite that he was a fan of The Railway Series in his youth. He said that he listened to the Johnny Morris recordings as a child.
- According to an interview with a fan, Small stated he had auditioned for the UK voices of Henry and Percy, but was declined in favour of Keith Wickham.