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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Albert Whelan, singer and entertainer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the audience at the BBC Television Theatre, having been brought there by entrepreneur Billy Butlin.

Albert, who was born in Melbourne, Australia, first began performing as a teenager, playing the violin and singing comic songs for the miners during the Australian gold rush of the 1890s. He later played in the theatres of Melbourne, notably in the musical comedy The Belle of New York, before emigrating to London in 1901.

Immaculately dressed in bow-tie and tails and billed as the Society Entertainer, Albert established himself in the English music hall, touring the country with an act which involved impersonations, dance, playing the violin and piano and singing his own comic songs. In addition, he developed the first recognised signature tune, with his trademark entry and exit of whistling The Jolly Brothers waltz, and would later successfully tour his act across America and Australia.

programme details...

• Edition No: 35
• Subject No: 35
• Broadcast live: Mon 30 Sep 1957
• Broadcast time: 7.30-8.00pm
• Venue: BBC Television Theatre
• Series: 3
• Edition: 1

on the guest list...

• Lucille Benstead
• Ada Reeve
• Gordon - son
• Nellie Randall
• Arthur Carthy
• Rene - wife
• Brendan Martin
• Micki Allen
• Florence Champion - sister
Filmed tributes:
• Ronald - son
• Joan - daughter-in-law
• Matt - grandson
• Delysia - granddaughter

related appearances...

• Ada Reeve - Oct 1956
• Billy Butlin - Sep 1959

production team...

• Researchers: Nigel Ward, George Bruce, Michael Friend
• Writer: Peter Moore
• Director: unknown
• Producer: T Leslie Jackson

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

• with thanks to Matt and Byron Whelan for their contributions to this page

That's Entertainment

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The Audience

the applause, laughter and tears

Ada Reeve

Photographs of Albert Whelan This Is Your Life