This Is Your Life is reportedly set to return to screens after two decades – leaving fans of the original show harking back to the good days.
The biographical TV show first aired in July 1955 before coming off screens in 2003, under the presentership of Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel, while one-off shows aired in 1997, fronted by Trevor McDonald and in 2012 hosted by Ant and Dec.
Throughout the show’s history, both celebrities and non-famous members of the public would be surprised with their life stories presented in the distinguishable Big Red Book – with the surprise element integral to the show.
While This Is Your Life is pegged to return with Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Fiona Bruce as front-runners to scoop hosting role, throughout the programme’s initial run, many stars left jaws dropping with their appearances.
From the exposure of actress Hattie Jacques’ marital woes to boxer Alan Minter’s foul mouth changing the entirety of the programme, some of the 1,130 episodes were more memorable than others – not to mention no shows all together.
So what were This Is Your Life’s most memorable moments?
HATTIE JACQUES: February 1963
Iconic actress Hattie Jacques appeared on the show in February 1963, under the presenter Eamonn, who approached the star at a time of personal turmoil – leading to what was deemed an extremely uncomfortable show.
At the time of her appearance, her private life was complicated, after Hattie, who had been married to actor John Le Mesurier since 1949, met John Schofield, a cockney used-car dealer, who chauffeured her to an event in 1962.
The couple became romantically involved after the driver gave her the attention and support that her husband Le Mesurier did not.
Hattie decided to move Schofield into the family home, after which Le Mesurier moved into a separate room. Le Mesurier said of the time: ‘I could have walked out, but, whatever my feelings, I loved Hattie and the children…
‘I was certain—I had to be certain—that we could repair the damage’.
This Is Your Life then explosively came into their life. The esteemed actress was surprised to be the subject of the show, when she was approached by Eamonn during rehearsal for the sixth series of Sykes And A….
Although Le Mesurier did not mention the marital situation when being questioned by Andrews, he made the comment that for Jacques ‘the home comes first’, which Merriman considered had been said ‘rather pointedly’.
GOOGIE WITHERS: May 1971
When actress Googie Withers appeared on the show, she was left red-faced when her interview with host Eamonn did not go to plan.
She arrived at the show thinking she would be interviewed by her friend Godfrey Winn – having not known that Eamonn was a host on the show.
Despite knowing the host, when he appeared as she entered the set, she asked him why he was no longer working as a presenter and was instead a floor manager.
CHRISTOPHER LEE: April 1974
Christopher Lee’s episode kicked off in an extremely bizarre fashion.
The lauded actor was surprised by host Eamonn while he filmed a fencing match for kids’ TV show Magpie – much to his surprise.
His episode featured impressive guests, including , his wife, daughter, mother, sister, brother, Peter Cushing, Vincent Price, Patrick Macnee, Sammy Davis Jr, Oliver Reed, Joanna Lumley, Veronica Carlson, and Valerie Von Ost.
ALAN MINTER: April 1980
Having recently won the Middleweight World Championship, the boxer nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’ was surprised by Eamonn during a St George’s Day celebration at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane in London.
Alan’s tribute included recorded messages from Hollywood heavyweights Joan Collins and Sylvester Stallone, while boxer Henry Cooper greeted him in person.
While much of his appearance was unremarkable to others, his incessant swearing and foul language marked the end of the show’s live broadcast.
From Alan’s show onwards, This Is Your Life became pre-recorded.
PETER DAVISON: March 1982
After actor Peter Davison was the featured guest in the Eighties, he later revealed in interviews and his autobiography that the planned finale of his edition was to be the appearance of actress Beryl Reid, but his then-wife Sandra Dickinson objected.
Sandra persuaded producers not to end the show in this way as Peter and Beryl barely knew each other, having worked together only once for two days’ recording.
Beryl’s inclusion was to maximise publicity for the two episodes of Doctor Who that the BBC were airing at the same time as his This Is Your Life.
Sandra won her argument, and although Reid appeared, the edition ended instead with the reunion of Davison and his Guyanese aunt.
TREVOR MCDONALD: June 2007
Sir Trevor McDonald hosted a one-off special of the show, in which he presented music mogul Simon Cowell with The Big Red Book.
His special of the show scored huge praise and while many viewers hoped for a comeback, he was insistent his appearance was a one-time visit.
ANT AND DEC ONE-OFF: September 2012
Ant and Dec marked Chris Moyles’ last day on his eponymous BBC Radio One show by hosting a one-off special in honour of the DJ.
The show featured special guests Sara Cox, Billie Piper, Roy Walker, Pixie Lott and Gary Barlow live from the BBC Radio Theatre.
While she could not attend in person, Cheryl Cole – who joined Chris on the Comic Relief challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, sent a remote message.
In her emotional message to her pal, she said: ‘I just wanted to say good luck with everything you do in the future. I’ll never forget the memories we’ve shared. So best wishes from me and happy new chapter.’
Billie meanwhile, who first met Chris when she was 16, said: ‘It’s been a long time and I love you’, while Sara, who hosted the breakfast show before him, said: ‘I’m going to miss you… you’ve been there through three kids and a divorce.
‘For lots of people you’ve been there for their own journeys.’
RONNIE BARKER: No show
Producers sought funnyman Ronnie Barker to be one of the show’s guests, with his wife Joy Tubb helping bosses with set up and pre-production.
Despite their attempts, Ronnie revealed in his autobiography that he had become extremely upset by his wife’s obvious secrecy and explosively began to suspect she was having an extra-marital affair due to her covert behaviour.
He confronted Joy and she had to reveal the truth – leading to its cancellation.
He used the opportunity to insist to Joy that he never wanted to be on the show, so future attempts to plan an episode around him were firmly thwarted
ARTHUR MULLARD: Show pulled from air
Cockney actor Arthur Mullard was reportedly set to appear on the show prior to his death in December 1995, however his stint on the programme took a dark turn.
The Sunday Mirror reported a year after his death that researchers pulled the show after they contacted his eldest son and made shock discoveries.
The same report featured allegations that the actor had terrorised his family and committed sexual abuse against his daughter.
Despite his alleged acts of child sexual abuse against his daughter, who spoke out herself, she had nursed him through ill health in the lead up to his death. He left her and one of her brothers £5,000 each and £250,000 to a children’s home.
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Ciara Farmer
