Gromit given voice after 30 years for his autobiography narration

Gromit has a new book out and for the first time fans have heard his voice, which has proven to be a smidge controversial since we've all been very used to him not saying anything.

Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit: as told to Nick Park is out later this month and for those who'd rather listen than look there's an audiobook version of it being released as well.

You can't read a book with a wonderfully expressive set of eyebrows so somebody was going to have to open their mouth and do some speaking, and it turns out Gromit sounds an awful lot like Martin Freeman.

"Yes. I’m a dog. And you’re reading a book written by a dog," he says.

"I’ll just let you take that in for a minute. Maybe have a cup of tea and a biscuit. You’ll get used to it, most humans are quite adaptable.

"Now, this is supposed to be Wallace’s story. And maybe, at some point, he’ll finish building the machine he was going to write this book with.

"Currently he’s stood on top of the dining table and wondering why he fitted a typewriter with wheels and a flame-thrower (we made an agreement for new inventions – there’s even a list on the fridge, and 'No Flame-Throwers' is at Number 3).

"Until then, this is my story. The tale of what goes on behind my eyes. And I really do know where all the bones are buried. So. I guess it’s time I spoke."

Unfortunately for Gromit there are some Wallace and Gromit fans who aren't crackers about this decision and can't brie-lieve their ears, claiming it was a 'criminal offence' to give a voice to the voiceless icon of the screen and complained that they 'broke a sacred code'.

Others complained that the voice wasn't exactly the one they wanted, but you can't be all things to all people.

Even if the reveal of Gromit's voice split the room a bit there were others who said they liked it, saying 'it does feel like it matches him' and reckoning they 'always imagined it like this'.

For those worried that Gromit is suddenly going to start talking more often, it sounds like he's just articulating his inner thoughts and won't actually get into a shouting match with Wallace at any point.

If you don't like the idea of Gromit talking then you can always just get the book and read it instead of listening to the audio version, but for those who say it feels as snug as a pair of slippers and works 'surprisingly better than it has any right to' then perhaps the audiobook is for you after all.

Even if you think it's not your cup of tea for now then as Gromit says 'you'll get used to it, most humans are quite adaptable', maybe calm down with some wensleydale and crackers.

Meanwhile, what I really want to know from Gromit is what happened with Fluffles and why we haven't seen her around for a while.

Grand: The Autobiography of Gromit: as told to Nick Park releases on 22 October.