Here's a dip back into our archives from February 2012, when the Advertiser caught up with the man whose voice greets thousands of tram passengers every day....
THIS famous face has been a fixture on TV news bulletins for decades.
But did you know that BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen is also the man whose dulcet tones welcome you on to the tram each morning?
Mr Owen's voice is heard by thousands across Croydon's tram network day in, day out, announcing arrival at stations far and wide from Addiscombe to Ampere Way.
But there is one gap on the network not yet filled by the sounds of the veteran news anchor.
He told the Advertiser: "One of the few stops I am not the voice of is Centrale, as that was brought in after my recordings.
"I would love to re-record the newest stops and the ones due to come to town."
The 65-year-old said his love of the trams was further fuelled when he was given the "prestigious role".
"I have always been interested in trains, ever since I was a very small boy," he explained. "So when they asked me if I would be the voice of the trams I was delighted. I said yes almost immediately."
Mr Owen, who lives in Reigate, says he can remember the exact time when his tram fascination started.
He said: "I was five years old and I was on one of the old-style trams which were around years ago. It was 1951.
"I was with my mother and we were travelling through South Croydon, and I was just infatuated with how they worked."
It was a passion that was re-ignited when it was announced trams were making a comeback in the borough at the turn of the 21st century.
He said: "When it was announced the trams were returning I was incredibly surprised and excited.
"Before any of the tramline work started, I remember walking along where some of the routes were planned for with my friends, wondering how it was all going to work." He added of the recording link-up: "They asked me to be the voice of the trams about five years ago and I said yes. I was very pleased to be asked.
"Recording took quite a while. I kept talking too fast and had to keep re-recording it so I was talking a lot slower.
"They explained to me that, for many using the tram network, English may not be their first language.
"In fact, it has been a running joke with some of my friends who ask why I am talking so slowly."
Mr Owen admits his tram role attracts almost as much attention as his day job.
He added: "There have been a few times when people have come up to me on the street and asked if I was the tram man. I am always surprised they realise.
"I have a friend called Tony Dyer who lives in Shirley and was once a tram driver. He would joke that he used to get annoyed with my voice."
