This is Your Life was created by Ralph Edwards, an American radio and television host. The show originated on radio, debuting in 1948, successfully transferring to NBC television in October 1952.The British version of the show was launched in 1955 by BBC television, and was initially broadcast monthly, then fortnightly, before becoming a regular weekly fixture in the TV schedules by its third series.The BBC produced the show's first nine series before axing the programme in 1964.The London based Thames Television revived the show in 1969 and broadcast weekly editions over the ITV network, producing an average of 26 shows a year. ITV continued broadcasting the show right through to 1994 despite a change of presenter when Michael Aspel took over after the death of original host Eamonn Andrews in 1987.This is Your Life returned to the BBC in 1994, but was still produced independently by Thames Television, and was axed again in 2003.In the show the host surprises a special guest, before taking them through their life with the assistance of the 'big red book'.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Eamonn Andrews became the very first subject of This Is Your Life on British TV, when he was surprised by the host and creator of the show's American version, Ralph Edwards, at the BBC Television Theatre.Eamonn, already contracted to present future shows, was led to believe the subject was to be his friend, boxer Freddie Mills, after the original choice of footballer Stanley Matthews had been cancelled due to a press leak.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Yvonne Bailey (née Baseden) was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.During the Second World War Yvonne joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force as a clerk, and later, became an agent for the Special Operations Executive - a clandestine organisation formed to encourage and facilitate espionage and sabotage behind enemy lines.At only 22, Yvonne became the youngest woman to be parachuted into France - her field name was "Odette".
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ted Ray, comedian best known for BBC radio's domestic comedy series Ray's a Laugh, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.Ted was honoured by This Is Your Life a second time in 1975.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - The Reverend James Butterworth, a Methodist minister, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.His pioneering youth work and fund raising led to the creation of Clubland, a Christian institution for underpriviledged children in Walworth, London.Clubland was opened in 1939 by Queen Mary, a patron of the institution for many years, and has since received the support of many famous names.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Charles Burgess Fry, "grand old man of sport", was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Johanna Harris, a Red Cross nurse, was surprised by Eamonn Andrewsat the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Donald Campbell, speed record breaker, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Joe Brannelly, American musician and music publicist, was surprised byEamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Stanley Matthews, footballer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while appearing on a television sports programme at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Henry Starling, porter at Billingsgate fish market in London was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ida Cook, novelist and campaigner for Jewish refugees, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Lupino Lane, actor and theatre manager, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Hugh Oloff de Wet, artist, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Beth Wilde, a spinal injury victim, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, Royal Air Force fighter pilot, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at the BBC Television Theatre.
Eamonn Andrews introduces and comperes a review of the first series of This Is Your Life in a pre-recorded special edition.Several ‘guests of honour' or ‘subjects' return to the BBC Television Theatre to recall incidents and stories relating to their experience of being surprised by Eamonn.
Television's prominent antiques expert was surprised by Michael in Folkestone during a recording of his BBC Television show, Bargain Hunt.Guests paying tribute include Countdown's Carol Vorderman and Richard Whiteley, and fellow antiques expert Tim Wonnacott.
Michael surprised the former Labour MP during a recording of the BBC television comedy show Shooting Stars. As Northern Ireland Secretary, Mo was influential in securing the Good Friday Peace agreement in 1998, while recovering from a brain tumour. Among those paying tribute, in an emotional show, was Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bill Clinton.
Complete episode guide for This is Your Life with detailed information about every season and episode including air dates, summaries, ratings, and streaming availability in United States.
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Eamonn Andrews was surprised by his friend, the magician and television personality David Nixon, at Thames Television's Teddington Studios, while assisting David with a magic trick.
Yet another cast reunion was arranged when Michael surprised Gillian on location for her current series Footballer's Wives. Like Anita, who is a guest on her show, Gillian had appeared in the first episode of the soap, but left the series in 2000.Tributes were paid by Christopher Biggins and Adam Faith.
Former This Is Your Life subject Phil Collins was recruited to help Michael surprise his Genesis band member outside Thames Television's Teddington Studios.Among those paying tribute are musician Peter Gabriel, racing driver Damon Hill, broadcaster Chris Tarrant and rugby player Will Carling.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - John McArdle, actor, was surprised by Michael Aspel on the set of the television drama, Mersey BeatJohn, who is best remembered for playing Billy Corkhill in the Channel Four soap-opera Brookside, has appeared in many television dramas, as well as being an accomplished stage actor.
The American composer - who was nominated for fourteen Oscars and responsible for hundreds of film and television scores - was surprised by Michael at London's Royal Albert Hall, following a concert held to celebrate his 80th birthday year. His guests include Hollywood film star Charlton Heston and fellow composers Don Black and John Williams.
Charles - who has played the role of Brian Aldridge in the BBC's long running radio soap opera The Archers since 1975 - was surprised by Michael during a recording of the show at the BBC Pebble Mill studios in Birmingham.Among those on his guest list are songwriter Richard Stilgoe and comedian Bernard Manning.
Michael interrupted a recording of A Question of Sport at the BBC Television Centre in London, to surprise the union and league player. The team then travelled to the BBC studios in Cardiff to record the tribute.Guests include fellow countrymen - politician Neil Kinnock, singer and presenter Aled Jones and comedian Max Boyce.
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - George Best, footballer, was surprised by Michael Aspel at Thames Television's Teddington Studios during a mock interview with Eamonn Holmes.
For his final visit to Sun Hill Police Station, Michael interrupts filming in order to surprise Lisa - a new recruit to the cast of the ITV police drama series The Bill, having previously found fame as a presenter on children's television.Lisa's guests include comedian Russ Abbot and actress and dancer Bonnie Langford.
The award winning investigative journalist and broadcaster - who was brought up in Australia and moved to the UK in 1968 - was surprised by Michael at the Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC.Motor racing legend Stirling Moss and newsreaderTrevor McDonald are among those paying tribute to Roger.
Michael surprised the comedian, for his second tribute, at the BBC Television Centre for a mid-series extended edition of the show.Such is the breadth of Bob's story two Big Red Books are needed, the second one delivered midway through the show by comedian Joe Pasquale. Other guests include actress June Whitfield and comedian Bob Hope.
Nicholas organised the rescue and safe passage to Britain of 669 mostly Jewish children from German-occupied Czechoslovakia on the eve of the Second World War, in an operation later known as the Czech Kindertransport. Michael surprised Nicholas at Winton House - an Abbeyfield care home for the elderly in Windsor.
Anthony - best known for his role as Sebastian in the ITV series Brideshead Revisited - was surprised by Michael at the curtain call of the musical My Fair Lady at London's Drury Lane Theatre.Back at the BBC Television Centre Anthony's guests include author James Herbert and theatrical producer Bill Kenwright.
Michael hid behind a newspaper in the reception area of a central London voice-over studio, until his given signal to surprise the Scottish actor - best known for his role as DCI Burke in ITV's police series, Taggart.Among those paying tribute to Alex - the final actor to be honoured by This Is Your Life are presenter Jeremy Beadle and comedian Billy Connolly.
Michael paid his final visit to Walford's market to surprise the Olivier award winning actor who had joined the soap on a regular basis in 1999.Actor John Nettles and comedian Jim Davidson are among those paying tribute.
Michael recruited the help of record producer and fellow Pop Idol judge, Pete Waterman, to surprise Simon at the offices of record label, PWL.Among those paying tribute are pop group Westlife, film director Michael Winner and actor David Hasselhoff. This was the last ever This Is Your Lifeshow that Michael Aspel recorded.
Michael surprised the Surrey batsman and wicketkeeper during a game of golf at the Royal Automobile Club in Epsom.Alec - who is the most capped English cricketer of all time - was greeted by guests that included lyricist Sir Tim Rice, former footballer Sir Bobby Robson and fellow cricketer Geoffrey Boycott.
Michael arranged a hair-raising stunt at Pinewood Studios to surprise the famed Stunt Coordinator and Action Unit director. Vic has worked on some of the biggest movies ever made and is notable for the action sequences of several James Bond films. His show includes tributes from George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan and Bond producers Barbara Broccolli and Michael Wilson.
In the show's last ever outside broadcast, the mountaineer - having been surprised by Michael at a hotel in Heathrow - was taken to The Rheged Centre in Penrith, Cumbria for his tribute.Chris' career has included nineteen expeditions to the Himalayas, including four to Mount Everest and the first ascent of the south face of Annapurna.
John - who has played the village vicar since 1996 - was surprised by Michael, appropriately, on the set of Emmerdale's St Mary's Church.Among the guests who greet John back at the studios of Yorkshire Television are musician Neil Tennant and actress Sue Johnston.
The radio DJ - who is perhaps best known as presenter of BBC television's The Old Grey Whistle Test - was surprised by Michael - again live on air - while interviewing Robin Gibb. His show is noted for including his 3 ex-wives on the guest list - and has contributions from musicians Suzi Quatro, Judy Tzuke and Elton John.
Michael surprised Gyles at London's Duchess Theatre at the curtain call of his current show, Zipp! 100 Musicals in 100 Minutes.The author, broadcaster and former Conservative Member of Parliament was greeted by, among others, actress and dancer Bonnie Langford, broadcaster Nicholas Parsons and singer Dave Willetts.
In the final This Is Your Life edition to be broadcast on the BBC, the former choirboy - who rose to fame with his recording of Walking in the Air from Channel 4's 1982 animated film The Snowman - was surprised by Michael at London's Royal Albert Hall. Terry Woganand Bob Geldof send recorded messages while actresses Janet Brown and Ruth Madoc pay their tributes in person.