John Bellis (born in either 1964 or 1965) was a voice actor who was originally hired to voice Thomas the Tank Engine in the original workprints of Thomas and the Magic Railroad. He is a resident of the Isle of Man and works as a fireman and part-time taxi driver.
He got his role when he was picking up Britt Allcroft and her crew from the airport. As Bellis was uttering a few words, it easily convinced Allcroft that he spoke exactly the way Thomas would. "I have just heard the voice of Thomas. The man is exactly how Thomas would sound!", she said. A few days later, Britt offered him the part, and he accepted. So he flew to Toronto, Canada to record his lines along with Keith Scott, Michael Angelis, and Patrick Breen.
Unfortunately, he was fired after American test audiences complained his Liverpudlian tones made Thomas sound "too old". He said that he was "gutted", but wished the film-makers well.
"It was supposed to be my big break", he said. "But it hasn't put me off and I am hoping something else will come along". So, he was replaced by Canadian actor, Edward Glen in the final film so Thomas would sound younger.
In the final cut, he was still credited as the transportation co-ordinator for the movie.
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