To the rescue

Work area manager, Ros Beddall, from Nottingham Mail Centre, has described the ‘amazing VIP experience’ she had after winning a voice cameo in one of the most hotly anticipated films of the year.

After she entered the Comic Relief Prizeathon radio competition on Red Nose Day in March, Ros bagged the chance of a lifetime to voice a cameo role in Disney/Pixar's latest release, Toy Story 4.

After hearing the news, Ros told the Nottingham Post that she never expected to win such a unique prize: ‘I was walking around looking like I had a coat hanger in my mouth, I was so happy.

‘All my family were excited, they were all offering to do it but I politely declined and said I'd do it myself!’

Both Ros and her husband, helpdesk technical analyst, Gary Beddell, from Leeds Mail Centre, were given an all-expenses paid trip to Shepperton Studios in Surrey, which Ros described as an ‘amazing VIP experience.’

‘Everything was paid for,’ she said. ‘A taxi came to pick us up at home, took us to and from the station and we had a five-star hotel for the night.’

The pair were greeted at the studios by a representative from Comic Relief and Disney.

‘It was a huge sound studio,’ added Ros. ‘I was expecting a small, box room. I had to stand in front of the mic and they gave me the script with my lines, and just above I could see Tom Hanks' name on there too. I wasn't allowed to keep it though!

‘I was nervous and excited to record. All I had been told was that I would be a robot of some sort. I had to read each word one by one and then they added the sound to the film clip and showed it to us straight away. I can now say I have signed a contract with Disney!’

Colleagues in Nottingham have coined the nickname Ros-bot for her, as she plays a red robot in a scene with a pinball machine.

A few months down the line, Ros received another surprise, when her and Gary were invited to attend the premiere of Toy Story 4 at Leicester Square in London.

‘I thought we'd maybe get some free tickets to see the film but never imagined I'd be stood on the red carpet,’ she said. ‘We were able to watch all the guests arrive and I got within touching distance of Tom Hanks. It was totally surreal.’

No premiere would be complete without getting to view the film in full, and after an introduction from all the film's stars and producers, the Beddells had an exclusive screening.

‘And then, just as we were leaving, I saw my name in the credits!’ said Ros. ‘It's definitely been the prize that just keeps giving.

‘All my family have been to see it in the cinema and have waited to spot my name at the end. My kids are all in their 20s now but they were brought up watching Toy Story. Number four has to be my favourite though.

‘It's been a year to remember, and now my name has been immortalised!’