Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star

A Grand Day Out - Landing on the Moon - Wallace and Gromit

The nation's beloved duo, Wallace and Gromit, are set to embark on a brand-new adventure, with many familiar characters making a comeback - but the film will be the first without actor Peter Wallis.

In their upcoming film, Vengeance Most Fowl, the cheese-loving inventor and his loyal dog face off against a wayward 'smart gnome' that develops a will of its own. Meanwhile their enemy from The Wrong Trousers, Feathers McGraw, is plotting revenge and aims to thwart Wallace and Gromit.

This release marks not only the first Wallace and Gromit outing in 16 years but also the first ever without the voice talents of the original Wallace, Peter Sallis. Ben Whitehead took over the role in the 2010s after Sallis' declining health made acting increasingly difficult. and he has voiced Wallace in shorts, exhibitions and features since.

Peter Sallis carved out an impressive career on television, including playing Norman "Cleggy" Clegg in every episode of Last of the Summer Wine. His stage work was no less illustrious, sharing the boards with the likes of Judi Dench in Cabaret and theatre titans Laurence Olivier and Orson Welles.

The Mirror reports Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park wrote asking him to be the voice of a clay character called Wallace. Peter agreed to do it in exchange for a £50 fee to his favourite charity.

Peter Sallis voiced Wallace in the Wallace And Gromit films for many decades (Image: GETTY)

It took six years for the first Wallace and Gromit film, A Grand Day Out, to reach the screen, but it was a huge hit.

Nick Park recalled: "He was my first and only choice for Wallace. His silliness started the moment he greeted you at the door and didn't stop when the mic was switched off. He had naturally funny bones and was a great storyteller."

The film earned an Oscar nomination, while its sequels The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave clinched the prestigious award in 1993 and 1995 respectively. Sallis also lent his voice to Wallace in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit in 2005 and A Matter of Loaf and Death in 2008, among other Wallace and Gromit ventures.

In his lateryears, Sallis battled macular degeneration, an eye condition, but continued working with the aid of a talking portable typewriter equipped with a specially illuminated scanner.

His swansong as Wallace came in 2010's Wallace and Gromit's World of Invention, after which he retired from acting due to deteriorating health.

Peter Sallis reads a script, on the occasion of his 87th birthday, whilst in the studio recording for Wallace Gromit TV special 'A Matter of Loaf and Death' (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

At the 25th anniversary of Leith School of Art in 2014, Park expressed concern about Sallis' health, saying: "He's not too well. It's a big question for us, whether to keep going. We have got an understudy who has stepped in sometimes, Ben Whitehead, a young actor in London."

Whitehead initially took on roles that Sallis declined, such as video games or exhibition voices, and even contributed to The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, standing in for Sallis when needed.

Peter Sallis passed away from natural causes at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors, on June 2, 2017.

Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park opened up about the challenges faced in producing the beloved duo's latest escapade, Vengeance Most Fowl, especially following the loss of Peter Sallis. Speaking to the BBC, Park shared: "It has been quite emotional (doing this production) since we lost Peter, he was such an original, unique voice."

Peter Sallis was a respected actor on British TV (Image: PA) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241219.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

"So it's very hard for anyone to step into his shoes. But we have been blessed with a youngish actor whom we've known for many years who can do a fantastic Wallace impersonation.

"He's stepped in very kindly, and is just great. It's hard to tell them apart."

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl airs at 6.10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Christmas Day.

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star

Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl heartache as new film is first without star