Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
Frank CARSON (1926-2012)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Frank Carson, comedian, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at Heathrow Airport, having flown into London from Dublin on the same plane. The two had sat next to each other with Frank unaware that Eamonn had the Big Red Book in his hand luggage ready to reveal when they landed!
Frank began his comedy career in his native Belfast, performing at pubs and clubs in the evenings, while working as a plasterer by day. He turned professional in the early 1960s and became a popular performer on Irish television, before moving to Britain in 1966 to work as a stand-up comedian on the club circuit.
He appeared on the BBC's The Good Old Days and on ITV's Hughie Green's Opportunity Knocks talent show, which he won three times. But it was his appearances on The Comedians, a programme that consisted of 30 minutes of non-stop comedy from several comedians, that made Frank a household name.
"Oh, I don't believe it! Oh my god! I'm thrilled to bits - it's the only television show I haven't been on!"
programme details...
on the guest list...
related appearances...
production team...
The Sun 6 November 1987
By Frank Carson
By DICK SAXTY
Funnyman Frank Carson broke down in tears yesterday for the pal he called "The Hit Man".
Frank, 61 today, put on a brave face as he recalled more than 30 years of friendship and laughter with Eamonn. He said: "He was like a brother to me. My life will be a lot poorer without him."
The top Irish comic learned of his friend's death in an early morning phone call from his wife Ruth. "I sat down and cried," he said. "I just couldn't believe it."
"Obviously I knew he had been in hospital and that he had been ill. But I didn't know how ill. I feel very, very sad inside. Just once in your life, if you're very lucky, you have a friend like this man. He was very special to me."
"So I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried for him."
Frank had to hide his heartache as he rehearsed for a new Granada TV series, The Funny Side, in Manchester.
Legend
He said: "Sure, I had to go into the studio and be funny. That wasn't difficult because I knew Eamonn would have carried on like the wonderful professional he was."
"People didn't realise just how good Eamonn was. He has become a legend in showbusiness."
"I'll always treasure the memories of Eamonn's laughter – and I could reduce him to helpless laughter within minutes."
Teasing
"He laughed so much when I called him The Hit Man because of all the disguises he used to trap his victims for This Is Your Life."
"Eamonn had a wonderful sense of humour. He loved my Irish gags but if you told him a blue joke he would blush and go very quiet."
"He was a very dignified man. I never told him in so many words but he knew I was very proud of him."
Frank and Eamonn met in Dublin more than 30 years ago as they watched an up-and-coming act – The Bachelors – perform at the Gaiety Theatre.
"He was a young radio commentator then and I thought I was the best young comedian in the world," recalled Frank.
"Over the years we encouraged each other as our careers progressed."
"It's very hard to go through this business without making enemies. But Eamonn certainly managed it."
Victim
Frank laughed as he recalled how three years ago Eamonn surprised him with his famous red book as they flew from Dublin to Heathrow.
"I was completely taken in," Frank admits. "I didn't have a clue that I was the victim for the show."
"The Hit Man had got his own back – and I loved it."
Series 25 subjects
Michael and Kevin Doheny | Patrick Macnee | Vivian Richards | Ruth Madoc | Tessie O'Shea | Fitzroy MacLean | Alice Faye