Leeds nostalgia: Our Steve was real Spitting Image in 1985

Leeds-born actor Steve Nallon was making a big impression (literally) thanks to his uncanny take-off of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose puppet he voiced on satirical show Spitting Image.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Feb 2017, 15:19 GMT

Updated 1st Mar 2017, 07:49 GMT

Margaret Thatcher with the man who did her voice, Steve Nallon, as Spitting Image puppets are displayed for auction at Sotheby's in London Friday 7 July 2000. More than 200 puppets and 100 sketches from the Spitting Image show are
being sold by Sotheby's on behalf of one of its creators Roger Law at www.sothebys.amazon.com over a fortnight. See PA story SALE Spitting. PA photo: Toby Melville. — Margaret Thatcher with the man who did her voice, Steve Nallon, as Spitting Image puppets are displayed for auction at Sotheby's in London Friday 7 July 2000. More than 200 puppets and 100 sketches from the Spitting Image show are being sold by Sotheby's on behalf of one of its creators Roger Law at www.sothebys.amazon.com over a fortnight. See PA story SALE Spitting. PA photo: Toby Melville.

He said: “The PM’s 10th anniversary was a sort of milestone for me. I began impersonating her long before many impressionists.”

Steve, who was brought up in Burmantofts, developed his act while he was a pupil at St Michael’s College, Woodhouse, performing at parent-teacher events, after which he went on to perform in pubs and clubs.

His ambition at the time was to play the Grand Theatre, childhood visits to which inspired him to go into showbusiness. He also voiced the Pope, Roy Hattersley, Denis Healey and Enoch Powell for the show.