I'm an ex-soap star & my voice is now world famous due to viral ads… but I'm terrified of being sacked
STAR VOICE I'm an ex-soap star & my voice is now world famous due to viral ads… but I'm terrified of being sacked
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN EX-soap star has spoken out after a catchphrase she recorded for a TV advert unexpectedly turned her into a global sensation.
Many people might recognise actress Zoë Lister, 43, from her four-year stint on Hollyoaks until 2010 - but to millions more, she's the current voice behind an iconic airline ad campaign.
11
Zoë Lister met up with The Sun this week for an exclusive chat
Credit: Louis Wood
11
Her voice over has gone viral on TikTok
Credit: Instagram
11
Zoë appeared in Hollyoaks for four years until 2010
Credit: Channel 4
The voice actor started recording voice-overs for Jet2 in 2019, with commercials played between episodes of ITV series Love Island.
But now her famous phrase, "Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday" - from an advert first broadcast last year - is being clipped and used by hundreds of thousands of fans on TikTok and Instagram.
Zoë has given an insight into a whirlwind few weeks after her lines from the popular commercial went viral on social media.
The catchphrase has been described as the sound of the summer after social media users started dubbing the track over clips showing Brits brawling abroad and turbulent flights.
The craze got to a point where Zoë believed it would spell the end of her Jet2 career.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the mum-of-two admitted she is still dumbfounded by her sudden fame.
She joked: "It's all a bit silly, isn't it?
"It was just a voiceover. I've done these voice overs for several years for Jet2, and this was just a new campaign.
"And it was the Nothing Beats a Jet2 holiday line. That was the slogan.
"I'd never in a million years think that that this was going to be the thing to go viral."
Watch the moment Jess Glynne finally meets Jet2 voiceover star after TikTok trend goes viral
Zoë continued: "It's annoying me probably the same as everybody else right now.
"My friends and family are just sending me videos all the time, but everyone's just along for the ride."
She said things "got super weird" when she was on a train last week and heard several people listening to the catchphrase on their phones.
"But we're all just really enjoying it because it's just silly, it's stupid joy, and that's what we all need," Zoë said.
"It's time limited, but for now, I'm just enjoying the ride. I'm having a really fun summer."
My friends and family are just sending me videos all the time, but everyone's just along for the ride.
Zoë Lister
The sound even interrupted an important anniversary meal for Zoë and her husband, who overheard another table quoting it.
She added: "I was out for dinner with my husband because we were celebrating our 10-year anniversary.
"But there was clearly some more dominant stuff going on at the time!
"We were sat there and the next door table were doing their own video of Jet2 holidays, doing all the voices.
11
Zoë has been doing voice overs for Jet2 since 2019
Credit: Alamy
11
Zoë feared the worst when her voice suddenly went viral
Credit: Louis Wood
11
She was delighted when Jet2 renewed her contract
Credit: Louis Wood
"And my husband was like, 'do you want to meet the woman that has the voice?'.
"He's leaning into it now. It was really funny. It was a good moment for all of us," said Zoë.
Referring to the catchphrase suddenly going viral, she continued: "Things started to get weird last year. People would send me videos of terrible turbulence with my really happy voiceover over the top.
"It was really funny, but I was really certain that Jet2 were going to rebrand. I didn't know what they were thinking about the viral stuff.
"I'm not joking, two weeks ago, I was crying to my husband about the direction of my life.
"I didn't know where they (Jet2) were going. I was hoping they had a sense of humour," she said.
"And then it's just gone really positive and joyful. And I'm all about the joy.
"I went to Leeds Pride with them at the weekend and performed on stage. It was great."
Jess Glynne
Popstar Jess Glynne, 35, sings the iconic Hold My Hand backing track for the proper advert.
Earlier this week, Zoë was invited onto the Capital breakfast show, hosted by Jordan North, to link up with the singer for the first time.
The pair had previously never met, despite the 2015 hit being the theme song for Jet2 for a decade.
In a video posted to Instagram, Jordan was so excited that he squealed it was "finally happening" ahead of the two women meeting.
"It's happening! It's happening!" he screamed, as Zoë entered the studio and gave Jess a hug.
While in the studio, Zoë gave an impromptu live performance of her famous voice over while Hold My Hand played in the background.
Speaking on the experience, Zoë said: "I feel like the summer has been leading up to this point when Jess Glynne and I are in the same room.
"(Capital) asked if I fancied coming on the breakfast show to talk about it. And I was like, all right.
"Capital made it happen. I felt like I'd won a competition to be on there.
"We met and it was hilarious. She's just a really cool popstar who didn't ask for any of this.
"I suggested that I was kind of in her band now, but I don't think she agreed!
11
Zoë met Jess Glynne this week on Capitol
Credit: CapitalOfficial/Instagram
11
Glynne's music has been used in the Jet2 ads for years goes
Credit: CapitalOfficial/Instagram
11
Glynne performing at the Isle of Wight Festival earlier this summer
Credit: The Mega Agency
"Then on the show, Chris Stark said he was DJing that night and asked if I wanted to do a live performance of the Jet2 voiceover.
"I was like, yes, let's go. I felt like a Spice Girl."
Hitmaker Jess joked it was the "most amazing thing", before she recorded her own version of Zoë's famous voiceover.
When quizzed on the origins of the slogan, she told The Sun: "We usually kind of work it a few times.
"Especially the line, um, that's £200 off for a family of four because it is kind of so ridiculous.
"We're like, how do we say this without being really patronising?
"Because my normal speaking voice is not quite my voiceover.
"I'm not selling people holidays in my day to day interactions!
"I remember the sound engineer told me, 'you've just got to throw it away. Let them in on it like they're your friend'."
Zoë is now looking at launching her own podcast on the back of her TikTok fame.
She added: "I'm very grateful that Jet2 are going to re-sign my contract.
"That was my number one priority. But I do other things, I'm a writer and an actor as well.
"I started to make silly comedy videos on TikTok last year because this is the future now.
"So I'll probably just keep putting videos out and see what emerges from that.
"I haven't really done any acting for ages because I've had children. You just run out of time to be creative.
"You don't have the time or energy to be able to do things in the hope that somebody might buy your script.
"But I've been working on a podcast idea for ages. I think maybe now's the time, especially now that people absolutely know my voice.
"This moment has just been really fun. Whatever happens is just unexpected and joyful. It's great."
11
Zoë at the 2009 British Soap Awards
Credit: PA:Press Association
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mirror
Simon Cowell makes bold claim about reality show as pal warns 'you'll literally die'
Lucy Spraggan has revealed the warning she gave pal Simon Cowell after he made bold claim about a future appearance on a Channel 4 reality TV series Simon Cowell is usually seen sitting behind a desk, but if he had had his way, things could have been a lot different. The Britain's Got Talent and X Factor judge is known for his cutting comments on the talent shows. But the music mogul, 65, was tempted to try his luck on a different reality show, according to a close friend. Lucy Spraggan, who rose to fame on the X Factor before growing close to Simon, claims he had shown an interest in extreme challenge show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. With Lucy set to appear on the Channel 4 show, she revealed Simon told her it was a "great idea" for her to take part. Speaking to the Sun, Lucy said: "He knows I love being outdoors. We do a lot of shooting air rifles and stuff together, so he knows this is my thing, testing my mental resilience." But she admitted the funny moment he told her: "Oh, maybe I'll try and have a go at it." Lucy said she told her pal he would "literally die". "It was funny because it really contextualised how hard it was that I just straight away said to him, 'You would have no chance'. She added: "But Lauren [Silverman, Cowell's wife], I said to her at dinner the other day, 'You should have a go'. She could do it, it would be funny." The upcoming series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins sees Lucy join a new cast of famous faces to take on the challenge. This year has seen Channel 4 bosses choose a wide selection of stars from football, reality TV and even a woman made famous as one of the 'Peru Two' drug smugglers. Michaella McCollum is part of the current line up alongside other star names like Rebecca Loos, who had a rumoured fling with David Beckham. Former Premier League footballer Troy Deeney is also in the lineup, as is former Love Island star Adam Collard. Fans will see Loos face a brutal Beckham grilling on the show over 'mistakes'. Loos was Beckham's personal assistant in 2003 and claims broke the following year about them having a four month fling. Beckham said reports of the affair were 'ludicrous' at the time but never mounted a legal challenge to the story or any subsequent interviews. Loos went on to appear on reality shows like The Farm and Celebrity Love Island before stepping out of the limelight and is now a yoga teacher in Norway. On her TV comeback on Channel 4 this week, Rebecca said: 'I just wanted to show people who I am and just be myself, which has always been my thing. And I just went in it with a very open mind and take it as it comes."
Daily Mail
a few seconds ago
- Daily Mail
Love Island viewers call out producers for Helena and Harry's 'sad edit' after their split as they insist 'we're not buying it'
Love Island viewers have slammed producers for giving Helena Ford and Harry Cooksley a 'sad edit'. During Sunday's episode, the pair ended their romance for the second time after Harry admitted to still having feelings for Shakira Khan. The split came after a very explosive night at The Grafties where Harry came under fire for expressing interest in Shakira just days after going exclusive with Helena. Following a row at the firepit where Helena said she was 'done', the pair later had an emotional chat where they confirmed their romance was over and hugged it out. Later in the day Harry was seen crying in the bedroom and Helena asked if he was okay before giving him another intense embrace. But viewers were sceptical of the scenes and criticised producers for laying sad music over their conversations. Viewers said they 'weren't buying it' when it came to the 'sad edit', as they felt it was an ill-judged attempt at a 'redemption arc' for Harry. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they said: 'I wonder if the producers realise that we're not buying it? Why is Helena acting like this is Harry's last day on Earth?'; 'I actually don't care about the saga between Harry and Helena so please end it tonight!'; 'I hope to god Helena's friends and family have a long talk with her about her self worth and how she allows people to treat her when she gets home. It makes me sad to see how much she was willing to accept and even watching her hug Harry and say she'll miss him!'; 'WHAT WAS THAT SONG DURING THE HARRY AND HELENA MOMENT ("i know i don't deserve you blah blah"),'; 'Turn this emotional music off, the Helena sad girl edit is not going to work. She was soooo horrible to Shakira when she was with Harry I cba,'; 'This whole episode is the sad Harry show & I'm done with it tbh. They've given Harry more support than either Shakira or Helena, I don't understand,'; '"I'm going to miss you" Helena, Harry isn't dying, you'll see each other at events and be back mates in no time,'; 'Why are they acting like Helena/Harry was a love for the ages? I cannot deal!'; 'Can we move on from this Helena and Harry sob story now,'; The split came after a very explosive night at The Grafties where Harry came under fire for expressing interest in Shakira just days after going exclusive with Helena Following a row at the firepit where Helena said she was 'done', the pair later had an emotional chat where they confirmed their romance was over and hugged it out Later in the day Harry was seen crying in the bedroom and Helena asked if he was okay before giving him another intense embrace But viewers were sceptical of the scenes and criticised producers for laying sad music over their conversations Viewers said they 'weren't buying it' when it came to the 'sad edit', as they felt it was an ill-judged attempt at a 'redemption arc' for Harry 'They really gave Harry the redemption arc sickening,'; 'Are we supposed to care about Harry and Helena splitting up'; 'Is this episode meant to be music and Harry and Helena crying the whole episode in some attempt of a redemption arc,'; 'Can they wrap up this Harry and Helena storyline?? We are halfway through this episode and nothing has happened by tears ???'; 'No one else left in the villa. Why is it a harry and Helena episode. They broke up let's move on.' The aftermath of the Grafties continued for many of the Islanders during Sunday's episode, including Harry who came back into the Villa after sleeping outside. Sitting together inside, Harry and Shakira debriefed about how they were feeling. Harry said: 'I have really tried with her [Helena], but we [Shakira and Harry] had like a week and it was, for me, the feelings were obviously way stronger and still are. I'm sorry I never like tried again. I really thought the door was just, like, slammed.' Shakira replied: 'Do you want some home truths… it's obviously the way you go about it and the steps you take in between to come to these conclusions obviously hurt people along the way. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, they said: 'I wonder if the producers realise that we're not buying it? Why is Helena acting like this is Harry's last day on Earth?' 'It's all well and good you saying "hold my hands up guys, sorry" but you still hurt people.' 'And it's a pattern,' she added, before Harry confessed: 'Look, I'm either leaving here alone or with you.' Still feeling confused by the situation, Helena pulled Shakira to try and make sense of it. Shakira told Helena: 'Nothing's changed. There's been no miracle… I was saying I've not let myself heal over the situation and then he was like, "Same". I was like, "What?" He said, "I've not processed how I felt towards you, I've hopped into something with Helena." I don't understand it.' 'No, I don't understand it,' Helena said, before pulling Harry and asking him: 'Have you felt this way about Shakira this whole time?' Harry replied: 'I didn't, I just buried it all. I just didn't address any of my feelings and we were flying…' Helena went on to admit: 'I thought I had something genuine in here.' Later, Shakira too tried to make sense of how she was feeling, telling Harry: 'Like, how you're feeling now is not making sense from what I've seen for the past however many weeks.' Dejon Noel Williams NAME: Dejon Noel Williams AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice. Megan Moore NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 25 FROM: Southampton OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits! NAME: Helena Ford AGE: 29 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract. NAME: Shakira Khan AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring. NAME: Harry Cooksley AGE: 30 FROM: Guildford OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl. CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing. NAME: Conor Phillips AGE: 23 FROM: Limerick OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course! NAME: Toni Laites AGE: 24 FROM: Connecticut OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together. I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners. NAME: Yasmin Pettet AGE: 24 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy NAME: Megan Moore AGE: 24 FROM: Dublin OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothé e Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really. CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto. NAME: Blu Chegini AGE: 26 FROM: London OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way. WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting! NAME: Jamie Rhodes AGE: 26 OCCUPATION: Electric Engineer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Bubbly, cheeky, outgoing, good face card and a nice bum. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I'll be in amongst the drama! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm gonna take it by the horns and go for it. NAME: Ty Isherwood AGE: 23 OCCUPATION: Site Engineer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I go off energy, if we vibe. I've typically dated brunettes, tanned, nice teeth with a nice smile. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? A head turner! I get along with lads easily and like to make people laugh. NAME: Cacherel 'Cach' Mercer AGE: 24 OCCUPATION: Professional Dancer WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who's emotionally intelligent, beautiful, charismatic, caring, affectionate, and I'd say an intro extrovert. WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I think I'm gonna get into trouble, I feel like I'll be the joker of the group! I'll also be the person people come to for advice… and a bit of eye candy at the same time. ......................................................................................................................... Angel NAME: Angel Swift AGE: 26 OCCUPATION: Aesthetics Practitioner and Salon Owner WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm ready to make memories with someone, go travelling with them and fall in love WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I feel like people have been getting their heads turned very easily. I do feel like I have quite a good chance of turning someone's head.
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS
it's back! Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS as Toni's mum makes her entrance Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island fans have been sent into a frenzy as a fan-favourite feature makes its long-awaited comeback. ITV has confirmed the return of the very popular Meet The Family segment, set to air in the lead-up to the final. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Love Island's Meet The Family segment is returning The fan-favourite, which sees Islanders reunited with their family members and friends inside the villa, has long been a staple of the series. It often delivers emotional reunions and candid exchanges, with some families raising concerns or giving their blessing to the couples ahead of the show's conclusion. This year's family visits are expected to air in the final week of the series.
