As a young lad Percy was fascinated by the wild creatures of his native Suffolk and found his ability to imitate them made an interesting "party piece" from the age of 12. His first broadcast experience came in the BBC radio series "Vaudeville" in 1930. He made hundreds of broadcasts until his "official" retirement in 1989. He became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows Ray's a Laugh with 'Ted Ray' and Life of Bliss, and in later years was in constant demand by television and film companies. In 'real life' Percy was a distinguished ornithologist although he always described himself as an 'entertainer'. He could accurately imitate over 600 birds as well as making many other animal sounds. he played the whales in 'Orca (1977)', The Reindeer in 'Santa Claus (1985)' and the voice (?) of the Alien in 'Alien (1979)'.