Peppa Pig actress Harley Bird quits series after 13 years despite making £1,000 an hour
PEPPA Pig star Harley Bird has quit the role - despite making a reported £1,000 a hour as the voice of the cartoon porker.
The 18-year-old actress confirmed she is stepping down from the gig to make way for nine-year-old Amelie Bea.
She said: "Becoming the voice of Peppa at the age of five was the start of an incredible journey, and I'll never forget my time on the show.
"The people that work on Peppa Pig have become like a family to me and they've given me some unforgettable memories.
"I wish Amelie the best of luck in the role and am looking forward to starting the next chapter in my life."
Harley, who bagged a reported £1,000 an hour as Peppa, appeared on This Morning last month on the eve of her 18th birthday.
She told the hosts she was heading to Dollhouse, a venue owned by the DJ Tom Zanetti, and even invited Holly Willoughby to go clubbing with her.
Phillip Schofield exclaimed: “Peppa Pig is going to be in the club!” Harley replied: "I know, isn’t that worrying?”
Harley was the third actress to voice Peppa, after Lily Snowden-Fine, who starred in its first series in 2004, and Cecily Bloom, who joined for the second run in 2006.
Peppa Pig has been a worldwide smash for its makers Entertainment One, which was brought by Hasbro for £2.8 billion on New Year's Eve.
Before she quit, a source told the Star: "Harley is the most successful teenage voiceover artist in Britain right now. She is hot property and easily earns £1,000 an hour."
Other stars to lend their voices to the hit include comedy star Morwenna Banks, who plays Mummy Pig, Madame Gazelle and Dr Hamster.
Flash Gordon actor Brian Blessed also gave his booming voice to Grampy Rabbit.