Living over here, and working with asians, eastern europeans etc, I actually have quite a 'proper' speaking voice now. Took a year or so for it to feel normal speaking properly, but aye, I manage it now no bother. No way would folk understand me if I just spoke tarn. But whenever I'm with fellow tarn folk, or speaking about tarn, the accent returns. I might try the next episode with my more 'proper' accent.
I understand you. I've lived away for forty years and being from Barnsley defines me for everybody I know. I don't mind that. In fact, I play up to it.