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Mark Moraghan
Mark Moraghan
Mark Moraghan
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Mark Stephen Moraghan (MAW(R)-ə-han, born 27 January 1963)[1] is an English actor and singer. He has appeared in the British drama series Peak Practice, London's Burning and Heartbeat. He was the narrator for the children's television show Thomas & Friends from the seventeenth to twenty-first seasons, and played the roles of Greg Shadwick in Brookside, Ray Wyatt in Dream Team, Owen Davies in Holby City and Adrian Atkins in Coronation Street.

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

Moraghan was born in Toxteth, Liverpool on 27 January 1963. He started acting in 1978, when the BBC held auditions in his high school for the TV play Lies, and he was selected.[2] On 14 May 1988, Moraghan started his professional acting career playing a ferryman in the comedy Help!, and he subsequently went on to play in many TV series and several films. His longest running role was Owen Davies, a Consultant Obstetrician, in Holby City which he played from 2001 until 2005. He also appeared in a television commercial for the fabric softener 'Bounce' in 1996 with fellow Liverpudlian Katy Carmichael. He was recently a member of the cast of the British independent film Allies (2014).

In 2006 Moraghan starred in a musical production of Willy Russell's "Our Day Out" at Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre.[3]

He performed as a backing vocalist and percussionist in the Liverpool band Personal Column in the late 1970s.[4] In 2006, Moraghan came second in the BBC singing competition Just the Two of Us. His singing partner was Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton with whom he sang classic songs like "Islands in the Stream" and "With You I'm Born Again". He has also appeared on Lily Savage's Blankety Blank.[5]

He starred and co-directed the made-for-TV film Stepdad.[6]

In 2008, Moraghan appeared in Celebrity MasterChef, reaching the final alongside Andi Peters and eventual champion Liz McClarnon.[citation needed]

In 2009 he toured the UK in a theatre production of Brian Clemens' play Strictly Murder, alongside Nick Barclay, Katie Funk, David Rumelle and Miriam Miller.[citation needed]

Moraghan's swing album, Moonlight's Back in Style (words by Nicky Campbell) was released on Linn Records on 14 September 2009.[7]

From 2013 to 2017, Moraghan was the narrator on the children's television show Thomas & Friends, succeeding both Michael Angelis and Michael Brandon (for both the UK and the US, respectively).[8] He is also narrator for the Thomas & Friends specials/films, King of the Railway, Tale of the Brave, The Adventure Begins, Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, The Great Race and Journey Beyond Sodor. Despite having John Hasler and Joseph May take over his narration duties from 2018 onwards, Mark said that he will still work on Thomas & Friends. He returned in Season 22 to voice Dexter, an abandoned passenger coach who was found by Duck and restored as a mobile classroom. He also portrayed Mr Evans, a stationmaster who reads books from The Railway Series, and other stories about Thomas and his friends to the audience in the web series "Storytime with Mr. Evans" which aired from 1 to 7 March 2019. He then went on to return to his role as narrator as part of the podcast: Thomas & Friends Storytime airing from June 2020 to December 2021.[citation needed]

Prior to narrating Thomas & Friends, Moraghan has appeared in other children's television shows The Lodge and Wilderness Edge which were both dramas and both made for ITV's children's programming block CITV.

In 2017, he appeared as recurring character Tim Richards in Emmerdale.[citation needed]

In December 2017, Mark starred in Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime in Bournemouth where he played the devilish Fleshcreep.[citation needed]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Judge Dredd Judge Monroe
2008 Stepdad Derek Watson
2013 Thomas & Friends: King of the Railway Narrator Voice
2014 Thomas & Friends: Tale of the Brave
Allies Colonel Slade
2015 Thomas & Friends: The Adventure Begins Narrator Voice
Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure
2016 Thomas & Friends: The Great Race
2017 Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor
2023 Our Kid Mark Parrott

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1988–2017 Emmerdale Tim Richards / Barry
1989–99 Brookside Colin Lambert / Greg Shadwick / Carl Trevor
1990–91 Waterfront Beat Det. Sgt. 'Macker' McVay
1991 Boon Wayne
1993–2008 Heartbeat Roy Leamus / Luke
1994–97 Harry Enfield and Chums Barry Scouser
1996–97 Peak Practice Phil Young
1999-2001 Dream Team Ray Wyatt
2000 Always and Everyone Lawrence Scott
Close and True Steve Sheedy
2001–05 Holby City Owen Davis
2006 Where the Heart Is Mark
2008 The Bill Jeff Bowman
Celebrity Masterchef Himself
2010, 2012 Doctors Guy Harrold / Tony Mullen
2013–2018 Thomas & Friends Narrator (Seasons 17–21) / Dexter / Mr. Evans Voice for Narrator and Dexter. Portrayal for Mr. Evans
2015 Coronation Street Adrian Mortimer

Web Videos

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2023 GTA… but with talking trains!! Narrator Voice; parodying his time narrating Thomas & Friends.
SPIDER-MAN 2… but with a Talking Train!!

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mark Moraghan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mark Moraghan (born 1963) is an English actor and singer known for his extensive work in British television dramas and as a voice narrator for children's programming. Moraghan gained prominence through recurring roles in popular soap operas and series, including portraying mechanic Greg Shadwick in the Channel 4 soap Brookside from 1998 to 1999, and surgeon Owen Davis in the BBC medical drama Holby City from 2001 to 2005. His other notable television appearances include roles in Peak Practice, Heartbeat, London's Burning, Casualty, and Coronation Street, where he played Adrian Mortimer in 2015. On film, he appeared as Judge Monroe in the 1995 sci-fi action movie Judge Dredd. In 2013, Moraghan became the fourth narrator of the long-running children's series , succeeding and providing the voiceover for series 17 through 21 until 2018, as well as several specials; he returned in 2025 to narrate stories for the show's 80th anniversary. A Liverpudlian by birth, he has also pursued singing, performing live and releasing music, and continues to work in theatre, including a 2024–2025 role as in Peter Pan.

Early life

Upbringing in Liverpool

Mark Moraghan was born on 27 January 1963 in , a district of , . From a young age, Moraghan showed a natural inclination toward performance, entertaining family and friends at gatherings as early as one or two years old, often earning applause that fueled his enthusiasm. Liverpool's rich cultural scene, including annual pantomimes, played a significant role in his childhood; he fondly recalled being one of those children eager to join during these festive productions, which highlighted the city's tradition of accessible, community-driven entertainment. Additionally, classic films such as and , along with comedies featuring and , inspired him with their dramatic flair and heroic narratives, sparking an early fascination with acting. Moraghan's initial interest in performing arts deepened through school activities in Liverpool, where he began participating in primary school plays around the late 1960s and early 1970s. Teachers passionate about drama provided key encouragement, helping him discover his talent in a supportive educational setting that emphasized creative expression. By his early teens, this foundation led him to join local community theatre efforts, further nurturing his passion before transitioning to formal education and his first acting auditions.

Education and early acting

Moraghan attended local primary and secondary schools in , where his interest in was first nurtured by enthusiastic drama teachers. In , around the age of 8 or 9, he landed his initial role as Peter Pan in a school production, an experience that ignited his passion for performance. This early exposure, combined with inspirations from classic films like and , hooked him on acting from a young age. During his high school years in , Moraghan's talent was recognized when the conducted auditions on-site for the television play Lies by , part of the Scene series. Selected at age 15, he made his professional acting debut in the 1978 production, portraying a key role that marked his entry into the industry. Following this breakthrough, he joined the youth group at 's Unity Theatre, participating in fringe productions that provided hands-on stage experience in the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, after completing his education, Moraghan committed to full-time around age 19, motivated by his school successes and a desire to build on his initial professional opportunity. However, the path was challenging; to support himself, he took on various manual jobs, including , drayman work, and driving, while auditioning and taking minor roles. One such early credit came on 14 May 1988, when he appeared as a ferryman in an episode of the comedy series Help!. These formative years in Liverpool's vibrant scene laid the groundwork for his enduring career, despite the financial instability of breaking into the profession.

Professional career

Television roles

Moraghan gained prominence in British television through his role as Greg Shadwick in the Channel 4 Brookside, where he portrayed the character from 1998 to 1999, marking a significant breakthrough in his career. As a regular in the Liverpool-based series, Shadwick was involved in dramatic storylines centered on family tensions and community conflicts, contributing to the show's reputation for gritty ensemble narratives. One of his most extended engagements was as Owen Davis, a consultant obstetrician at Holby City Hospital, in the medical drama from 2001 to 2005. In this role, Moraghan depicted a working-class professional navigating high-stakes maternity cases and interpersonal dynamics within the hospital ensemble, with his character's storylines influencing key episodes involving life-and-death decisions and ethical dilemmas in . The portrayal spanned over 100 episodes, establishing Davis as a central figure in the series' exploration of medical teamwork and personal resilience. Moraghan also featured prominently as Ray Wyatt, a dedicated coach in the Sky One football drama Dream Team, from 1999 to 2001. Wyatt's arc highlighted themes of loyalty and rivalry in the sports world, fitting into the show's serialized format of team-based conflicts and personal ambitions. He later appeared as Adrian Atkins in ITV's in 2001, playing Eileen's short-lived romantic interest in a storyline touching on relationships and deception within the Weatherfield community. Throughout his television work, Moraghan made guest appearances in several other prominent British series, including (as Barry in 1988 and Tim Richards in 2017), Heartbeat (as Roy Leamus in 2008), (as Phil Young in 1996–1997), (as DO Eddie Quinn in 1995–1996), and Casualty (as a fire officer in 1997). These roles often placed him in dramatic, ensemble-driven contexts typical of UK soaps and procedurals, where his characters contributed to tense interpersonal and professional scenarios without dominating long-term arcs.

Film and theatre work

Mark Moraghan began his film career with an uncredited appearance as Judge Monroe in the 1995 Judge Dredd, directed by . His subsequent film roles included the part of Colonel Slade in the 2014 British war drama Allies, a story about commandos on a mission in occupied . More recently, Moraghan portrayed Mark Parrott in the 2023 independent drama , which explores family dynamics and football aspirations in a setting and premiered at the . In 2024, he appeared as Martin Reynolds in the drama film Look to the Light, which examines the perils of influence and . These roles, alongside minor appearances such as Derek Watson in the 2008 Stepdad, highlight his selective involvement in feature films, often drawing on his experience in television to inform character-driven performances. In theatre, Moraghan's career originated in regional productions in his native Liverpool, where he starred in the 2006 musical adaptation of Willy Russell's Our Day Out at the Royal Court Theatre. He continued with Liverpool-based works, including the role of Father (later John Forrester) in adaptations of Helen Forrester's Twopence to Cross the Mersey in 2007 and 2009 at the Royal Court, depicting the hardships of a family during the Great Depression. Moraghan also appeared in multiple runs of You'll Never Walk Alone: The Legend of Liverpool FC at the Royal Court from 2011 to 2017, taking on roles like Tommy in the 2017 production, which chronicled the history of Liverpool Football Club through narrative and song. As his stage career evolved, Moraghan transitioned to national tours, embodying Grandpa Hoover in the 2019 UK touring musical Little Miss Sunshine, an adaptation of the Oscar-winning film that followed a dysfunctional family's road trip to a beauty pageant. This marked a shift from intimate regional venues to broader audiences across the UK. His most recent stage work includes the role of the villainous Captain Hook in the 2024–2025 pantomime production The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, blending live performance with festive family entertainment. This progression underscores Moraghan's versatility in live theatre, from Liverpool's local storytelling traditions to nationwide productions.

Voice acting and narration

Mark Moraghan began his prominent voice acting career with narration duties for the British children's television series Thomas & Friends, serving as the third-person narrator for series 17 through 21 from 2013 to 2017. His warm, engaging delivery became a hallmark of the show's CGI era, providing storytelling for both UK and US audiences and replacing previous narrators Michael Angelis and Michael Brandon. This role marked a significant shift in the series' narration style, emphasizing Moraghan's versatile voice that blended authority with approachability suitable for young viewers. Moraghan extended his narration to several Thomas & Friends specials during this period, including King of the Railway (2013), Tale of the Brave (2014), The Adventure Begins (2015), Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure (2015), The Great Race (2016), and Journey Beyond Sodor (2017). In these feature-length productions, his narration guided the adventures of and his friends across the Island of Sodor, contributing to the specials' narrative cohesion and appeal in international markets through unified . These projects solidified his association with the franchise, showcasing his ability to maintain pacing and emotional depth in extended formats. Following the conclusion of his main series narration in 2017, Moraghan returned to in 2018 to voice the character Dexter, an abandoned passenger coach introduced in season 22's episode "School of ," and continued voicing the character in the spin-off series All Engines Go from 2021 to 2025. This character role highlighted his range in providing distinct vocal characterizations beyond narration, portraying Dexter as a wise yet weary mentor figure in the storyline involving the Great Western Engine. The performance integrated seamlessly with the series' evolving ensemble voice cast, demonstrating Moraghan's adaptability to first-person styles. Moraghan continued contributing to Thomas & Friends media through in digital formats. He narrated the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast from 2020 to 2021 and in 2025 for the 80th episodes, delivering adapted stories from the series' library in short episodes designed for children, often featuring sound effects and character voices to enhance immersion. Additionally, in 2019, he portrayed and voiced Mr. Evans, a stationmaster character, in the Storytime with Mr. Evans, where the character read classic tales from the Thomas & Friends books in a live-action storytelling setup broadcast on platforms like and Apple TV. These projects extended the franchise's reach into audio and online content, allowing Moraghan to engage new generations of fans. From 2023 to 2025, Moraghan served as the narrator for the series Stuff with Talking Trains. Beyond Thomas & Friends, Moraghan's voice work has been limited but impactful, primarily involving and re-narration for the series' international releases, including re-dubs of earlier seasons 13–15 and for consistency in markets. This specialization in children's media post his live-action television career has cemented his reputation as a reliable voice talent in and audio , influencing his selective involvement in family-oriented projects thereafter.

Singing and music

In 2006, Moraghan participated in the BBC celebrity singing competition Just the Two of Us, where he was paired with singer of . The duo performed duets including "" and "I've Had the Time of My Life," ultimately finishing as runners-up to Sian Reeves and . This appearance marked Moraghan's public debut as a vocalist, highlighting his range and stage presence in a format that blended entertainment with vocal training from professional coaches. Building on this exposure, Moraghan released his debut album Moonlight's Back in Style in September 2009 on Linn Records, a collection of swing standards with adapted by broadcaster . The album featured Moraghan's interpretations of like "" and "," accompanied by The Moonlighters and drawing influences from and . Campbell, whom Moraghan met during Just the Two of Us, contributed original , and the project led to live performances, including a 2010 concert tour with Campbell at venues like . Moraghan has also incorporated singing into his stage work, particularly in musical theatre productions. In 2010, he starred as the stern teacher Mr. Briggs in a revival of Willy Russell's at Liverpool's , delivering vocals in the show's ensemble numbers that captured the musical's Liverpudlian spirit. He later joined the West End cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2011, playing mechanic Bob and performing in the jukebox musical's upbeat ensemble songs like "." In 2019, Moraghan took on the role of profane Grandpa Hoover in the UK tour of , where he soloed the comedic "Our Little Secret (The Sex Song)," earning praise for his irreverent delivery and vocal flair. These musical endeavors expanded Moraghan's career beyond dramatic acting, allowing him to leverage his resonant voice—honed through narration—for live and recorded performances that appealed to audiences seeking lighter, jazz-inflected entertainment.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Mark Moraghan's first marriage produced two daughters, Jade (born circa 1987) and Hollie (born circa 1990). He later married Vanessa Gladen around 2010, with whom he has two younger daughters, Ella (born circa 2008) and Yvie (born circa 2010). In total, Moraghan is the father of four daughters and, as of 2013, a grandfather to three grandchildren, including one granddaughter and two grandsons. Moraghan has publicly discussed how his family life influences his career decisions, particularly in prioritizing roles that allow him to remain healthy and present for his children and grandchildren, such as his narration work on , which he described as a meaningful legacy for them.

Residences and later activities

Moraghan primarily resides in , , a suburb near London, which facilitates his professional commitments in the city's theatre and television scenes. He maintains a secondary home in , his birthplace in , allowing frequent returns to the city—approximately monthly—to reconnect with his roots. In his later career, Moraghan has continued engaging in and theatre productions, notably portraying the villainous in the 2024–2025 holiday run of The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of at Waterside Theatre, which concluded on January 5, 2025. In November 2025, Moraghan appeared as Alfred P. Doolittle in a production of at Theatre. Following a 2013 on-set that led to his diagnosis of —a potentially life-threatening heart rhythm disorder—he has advocated for heart health awareness, drawing from his experience as a former actor who ironically overlooked his own symptoms. Moraghan's interests include Liverpool's cultural heritage, where he has expressed admiration for developments like for boosting local employment and urban vitality while preserving the city's historic appeal. He ventured into directing with the 2008 television film Stepdad, a drama addressing , which he also co-wrote and starred in. His pursuits often emphasize family-oriented projects, such as voice narration for children's programming and festive theatre that appeals to all ages. Born January 27, 1963, Moraghan has pursued a four-decade career spanning soaps, , and voice work.

References

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  12. https://brookside.fandom.com/wiki/Greg_Shadwick
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  37. https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/thomas--friends-story-time-with-mr-evans/umc.cmc.5lxbh8xlysmk6lep5e9czvzki
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  52. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2317115/
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