Family of “Mind the Gap” voice Phil Sayer fight for an AI Clone to be removed, 10 years after…

The family of Phil Sayer, the renowned voice actor behind London’s iconic “Mind The Gap” Underground announcements, is currently engaged in a dispute to remove an unauthorized AI clone of his voice from the platform Fish Audio. Despite Sayer passing away in 2016, his likeness and vocal profile were uploaded to the site without the family’s permission, allowing users to generate content using his voice.

What happened

In early 2026, Sayer’s widow, Elinor Hamilton, discovered that a profile using her late husband's name and voice had appeared on Fish Audio. The platform allows users to upload recordings to create voice models, which can then be used to generate any speech. Hamilton expressed deep concern that anyone could download the clone to produce unauthorized content for platforms like YouTube or TikTok.

Efforts to have the content removed have been complicated by the platform’s administrative requirements. Fish Audio has requested that Hamilton provide Sayer’s death certificate to prove her identity and authority, a document she considers highly private. The incident highlights broader concerns regarding the ethical use of digital replicas of deceased individuals. While the family previously authorized a legitimate clone of Sayer’s voice through ElevenLabs to ensure continuity for new transport station announcements, the unauthorized version on Fish Audio remains active. Legal experts suggest the family has a strong case for infringement and personal data protection rights, though they note that seeking compensation for potential reputational damage remains a complex challenge. Other voice artists have faced similar issues, including instances where unauthorized AI clones were used to generate harmful content. As of mid-June 2026, Fish Audio has not responded to requests for comment, and the unauthorized clone remains accessible to users.