Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
14 January 2003
a career review
the programme's icon
MANY celebrities from Wales have been accosted by Eamonn Andrews and in recent years by Michael Aspel, and the Big Red Book.
The first person with Welsh roots to appear on This Is Your Life was entertainer Rolf Harris, who was featured on the show in December 1971.
Harris comes from Australia but has family ties with Wales and his wife Alwen was born here.
Several rugby legends from Wales have had their life stories revealed to the nation on the television programme, including Barry John (January 1972), Gareth Edwards (April 1976) and JPR Williams (April 1979).
Superstar Shirley Bassey was the subject of This Is Your Life in November 1972 and actor Windsor Davies was presented with the red book in January 1976.
Max Boyce was taken by surprise when it was revealed he would be featured on the show in February 1978.
Among those who have appeared since then are former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths (January 1980) and opera singer Geraint Evans (January 1984).
Actress Nerys Hughes appeared in February 1984. Falklands War hero Simon Weston was the subject of the BBC programme in February 1990 and he was followed a month later by entertainer Harry Secombe.