Recently, a Manchester court made adjustments to its answerphone message after facing online ridicule. The automated message from the Manchester Civil Justice Centre drew significant attention on social media, as a video clip of the unusual recording was viewed over 1 million times.

Many listeners compared the voice in the message to Alan Partridge and even to an engaging phone line, with speculations that it may involve artificial intelligence. British barrister and TV personality Judge Rinder was among those questioning the recording's authenticity. Some users confirmed its validity after calling the number themselves.

On Wednesday, January 15, just two days after the video was shared, the court changed the voicemail. The updated message, while conveying the same information, lacked the dramatic flair of its predecessor.

Following the initial clip, several social media users drew humorous comparisons, likening the voice to that of the fictional character Steven Toast or even suggesting it resembled a presenter on the shopping channel QVC. Others remarked on its resemblance to scenes from The Simpsons and inquired, “Who is this diva?”

Despite the laughter, responses to the message were largely positive. One user noted, "The automated messages are usually boring. I wouldn’t mind this eccentricity," while another remarked, "This is the best automated message... in the world."

Additionally, some users expressed a desire to hear the speaker deliver the Shipping Forecast or football results.

However, not all feedback was complimentary. One comment highlighted, "Clear example that in the acting/voice acting profession, ‘less is more.’" Another criticized the delivery, stating, "He's having far too much fun with the material he's been provided." A third user added, "This sounds like a human imitating an AI imitation of a human."

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Justice informed the Manchester Evening News that while the voicemail was factually correct, it was altered to align with 'customer communication standards' of the HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS).

A spokesperson for HMCTS confirmed, “This recording has been removed.”