This Is Your Life article

"It's never easy to bring such a long-running show to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye," the BBC1 controller, Lorraine Heggessy, said.

The first episode went out in 1955, presented by Eamonn Andrews. There have been more than 1,000 episodes, with the guests including Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope and Dudley Moore.

But yesterday's announcement may not be the end. The programme maker Talkback Thames said it was in talks with rival broadcasters.

BBC News Online 21 October 2003

BBC One drops This Is Your Life

The BBC has axed classic celebrity show This Is Your Life - but the famous red book may not have closed for ever.

The programme ambushed stars and took them in front of a studio audience for a look at their lives.

BBC One controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

The makers of the show, Talkback Thames, said they were in negotiations with other broadcasters.

'Delight audiences'

"This Is Your Life is an institution and one which the British public have enjoyed for almost 50 years," a spokesman said.

"We respect the BBC's decision not to recommission the show but are actively talking to other broadcasters about it and are hopeful it will continue to delight audiences throughout the UK."

The show began on the BBC in 1955, moving to ITV between 1969-93 before returning to BBC One the following year.

It was first hosted by Eamonn Andrews, who was succeeded by Michael Aspel in 1988 after the original presenter died.

But in June, Aspel announced that he was quitting the show.

Rare refusals

At its peak, This Is Your Life was watched by 20 million viewers - but just 3.5 million tuned in for the final BBC One episode, featuring Aled Jones, in August.

Only three stars in the show's history have refused to take part after family and friends had gathered in a studio.

Footballer Danny Blanchflower refused to appear in the 1950s and author Richard Gordon also backed out but was later persuaded to take part.

Two years ago, former Goodies star and wildlife enthusiast Bill Oddie turned away the This Is Your Life crew - but later agreed to appear.

Birmingham Evening Mail 21 October 2003

THIS IS YOUR LIFE AXED MICHAEL ASPEL

Cult television show This Is Your Life is to be axed after almost 50 years, it was announced today.

The BBC said it was ending the classic programme, hosted by Michael Aspel.

'It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye,' said BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey.

The first episode of the show featuring the famous red book was broadcast in 1955 and presented by Eamonn Andrews. [Bigredbook.info editor: The first edition was presented by Ralph Edwards; Eamonn was the subject]

Since then there have been more than 1,000 episodes with top guests including Muhammad Ali and Bob Hope.

In its heyday the show regularly pulled in 20 million viewers. But the last edition of the programme in August this year, featuring former choirboy Aled Jones, was watched by just 3.5 million.

Birmingham Evening Mail 21 October 2003

THIS WAS YOUR LIFE - BEEB AXES RED BOOK SHOW AFTER 50 YEARS

GRAHAM YOUNG

This Is Your Life has been axed by the BBC - again!

But before anyone who hates it starts to celebrate, take note: the show which began nearly 50 years ago has been ditched TWICE before. . . only to return.

This Is Your Life first began on American radio in 1948 and became a TV show four years later.

The first British TV episode was broadcast by the BBC in 1955 when American presenter Ralph Edwards sprang the surprise on Eamonn Andrews before handing over the programme to him.

Since then there have been more than 1,000 episodes with top guests including Muhammad Ali and Bob Hope.

The BBC first axed the show in 1964. Thames Television resurrected it from 1969 to 1993 before axing it themselves.

It then returned to the BBC in 1994 along with 'new' host Michael Aspel who had taken over the show in 1988 following Andrews's death.

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said today: 'It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye.'

Makers Thames Talkback were hoping that it will survive once again by moving channels.

A spokesman said: 'We respect the BBC's decision not to re-commission the show but are actively talking to other broadcasters about it and are hopeful it will continue to delight audiences throughout the UK.'

After Noel Edmonds refused to break his contract with the BBC to take over the show in 1988, Michael Aspel got the job, saying: 'Some people feel it should have ended with Eamonn's death, but I believe there is a lot of life and pleasure left in the programme.'

Birmingham Evening Mail 21 October 2003

THAT MOMENT OF SURPRISE FOR HOST OF MIDLAND STARS

A host of Midland stars have been surprised by the famous red book:

Crossroads star Jane Rossington was Eamonn Andrews' last victim only a week before he died - and the show was only broadcast with permission from his widow.

Crossroads' Stan Stennett (Sid Hooper) appeared in two shows running - once as the surprised star in a recording delayed by four months, and then as a guest at Gloria Hunniford's show broadcast the following week.

Coventry-born singer Vince Hill said he panicked when he saw Eamonn in 1976. 'I didn't want them revealing any skeletons in the cupboard,' he said.

Birmingham-born Dame Barbara Cartland was one of the few stars to have appeared twice.

Race ace Nigel Mansell said his appearance ranked alongside his OBE and World Championship titles - but his father, Eric Mansell, was not invited to take part. 'There is a rift between Nigel and I,' said the 69-year-old at his Wythall home in February, 1989.

In November 1992, Anthony Newley was surprised on stage at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre where he was appearing in Scrooge.

In 1995, solo round the world yatchtswoman Lisa Clayton was shocked to see Michael Aspel pouncing in Victoria Square where her 39ft yacht Spirit of Birmingham was on show.

Andrews dressed up as an airline steward to catch Shirley Bassey and as an astronaut to trick Patrick Moore.

The Sun 21 October 2003

THIS WAS YOUR LIFE

Sara Nathan

Beeb axe telly classic

TV classic This Is Your Life has been axed by the BBC after 48 years on screen.

Bosses believe the BBC1 show, hosted by Michael Aspel, has come to a natural end.

A Beeb insider said they decided not to modernise the series because they did not want to ruin it.

The source said: "The feeling was that This Is Your Life has genuinely come to its natural end and if you try and change it, you change the whole spirit of the show."

"It's had a great run with us, but we'd rather it bowed out gracefully and we celebrate it going."

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show to an end. We want to thank everyone who has worked on making it so successful."

Since This Is Your Life began on the BBC, there have been more than 1,000 episodes. Rival ITV broadcast the programme from 1969 to 1993.

The show, originally hosted by Irishman Eamonn Andrews, regularly drew 20 million viewers at the height of its popularity.

Top guests included Muhammad Ali, Lord Mountbatten, WWII hero Douglas Bader, Bob Hope, Dudley Moore and Joan Collins.

But soccer legend Danny Blanchflower famously ran off and jumped on a bus when confronted with the show's red book in 1961.

And Doctor in the House author Richard Gordon shocked viewers when he told host Andrews to "p*** off" live on air in 1974. [Bigredbook.info editor: He actually said "Oh balls, it can't be!"]

Show makers Thames TV are now talking to other networks in a bid to sell them the format.

Yorkshire Post 21 October 2003

This was your life for TV's red book

TV show This Is Your Life has been axed after almost 50 years. The BBC said it was ending the classic programme, hosted by Michael Aspel.

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

"We want to thank everyone who has worked on making This Is Your Life a successful programme over so many years, from presenter Michael Aspel to the production teams and, of course, the many people who have been surprised by the red book".

The first episode of the show was broadcast in 1955 and presented by Eamonn Andrews. [Bigredbook.info editor: The first edition was presented by Ralph Edwards; Eamonn was the subject]

Since then there have been more than 1,000 episodes with top guests including Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope and Dudley Moore. Andrews went to great lengths to surprise recipients of the red book, dressing up as an airline steward to catch Shirley Bassey and as an astronaut to trick Patrick Moore.

In its heyday the show regularly pulled in 20 million viewers. But the last edition of the programme in August this year, featuring former choirboy Aled Jones, was watched by just 3.5 million.

The show moved to ITV between 1969 and 1993 before returning to the BBC in 1994 along with host Aspel, who took over the show in 1988 following Andrews's death.

But the announcement by the BBC may not spell the end for This Is Your Life - programme makers Talkback Thames said they were in talks with rival broadcasters.

The Express 22 October 2003

THAT BIG RED BOOK IS CLOSED FOR EVER

Simon Edge

As This Is Your Life is axed this week after nearly 50 years, Simon Edge looks at how dwindling audiences and a dearth of true star guests have finally sealed its fate.

IT WAS July 29, 1955. A former Irish prize-fighter who had become famous as the presenter of the popular panel game What's My Line? arrived at a TV studio to record the first episode of a new show imported from America. He was expecting to be the compere of the programme, a light-hearted biographical tribute with a different subject every week, and he thought his first surprise "victim" was boxer Freddie Mills.

He was flabbergasted when the tables were turned and the programme's US host Ralph Edwards pulled out a red album, declaring: "Eamonn Andrews, this is your life!" [Bigredbook.info editor: Actually, Eamonn knew he was not compering this particular edition, but was unaware that he was to be the first subject]

An institution was born and, for the next half century, give or take a couple of years, the great, the good and (increasingly) the mediocre have been ambushed by Andrews and his successor Michael Aspel, brandishing a big red book and wielding the famous catchphrase. They have jumped out from behind bushes or pulled off disguises to astonish more than 1,000 subjects, watched by a beaming troupe of family and friends.

This week, that all came to an end with the announcement by the BBC that it would not be re-commissioning the series.

In its heyday, when 20 million people tuned in every week, the subjects were genuine stars. Bob Hope appeared, as did Stanley Matthews and Muhammad Ali; so did Joan Collins and Shirley Bassey, Dame Sybil Thorndike and Olivia de Havilland. Ted Heath was another catch and, in perhaps the most bizarre piece of This Is Your Life trivia, Ronald Reagan was once a host of the American version.

Princess Diana and Prince Andrew both helped out when friends of theirs were featured (tenor Josef Locke and photographer Norman Parkinson, respectively) and Margaret Thatcher recorded a tribute from 10 Downing Street for Jimmy Young. [Bigredbook.info editor: Jimmy Young was never a subject]

Andrews dressed as an airline steward to catch Shirley Bassey and as an astronaut to trick Patrick Moore. In Rome, he posed as a traffic policeman to surprise the Eurovision presenter Katie Boyle as she drove to a reception in an open-top carriage. A group of Japanese tourists nearly ruined the ambush by asking him directions at the crucial moment and Boyle used some choice Italian language to urge her driver to ignore the frantically waving carabiniere.

As anyone who has organised a surprise party will know, choosing the right moment is a complicated business. Jumping out on Coronation Street actor Bill Roache on the set of the Rovers Return, Andrews mislaid his red book. A producer grabbed a substitute from the production office in the nick of time and Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, never knew that the hardback in Andrews' hands was actually an accounts folder.

Amazingly, there were some people who had never heard of This Is Your Life. In 1977, the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee, Andrews pounced on his grandest ever subject with the words: "Lord Mountbatten, this is your life!" His puzzled royal quarry replied: "What do you mean?"

The biggest nightmare for the presenters was the reluctant guest. When the show was still live, Doctor In The House author Richard Gordon came into the reception area of Thames Television and saw Andrews emerge with his famous catchphrase. Gordon said: "Not on your nelly!" and turned on his heel. "We've a lot of guests waiting to see you," said Andrews anxiously. "I didn't invite them," retorted Gordon. He eventually gave in but the programme had to be recorded and screened later. [Bigredbook.info editor: Gordon's actual response, live on air, was "Oh balls, it can't be"]

Another refusal was footballer Danny Blanchflower, who ran like the clappers when Eamonn was about to open his book.

Andrews gave chase but Blanchflower never did the show.

Fortunately, most subjects have been delighted to take part and the main stress was for their nearest and dearest, who had to keep the show a secret.

Ernie Wise thought it was odd to see his cousin in the loo at Television Centre but decided he must be imagining things. Spike Milligan was not so sanguine: when he saw a researcher parked outside his house, he thought it was a stalker and called the police. The hapless researcher ended up in jail.

Ronnie Barker, meanwhile, decided his wife was having an affair when he saw her hanging up the phone every time he walked into the room. He grew even more suspicious when he found a phone number with the name "Brian" on it. Taking a deep breath, he called the number. "Hello, This Is Your Life, can I help you?" said Brian, a researcher. Barker's marriage was saved but the secret was blown and the programme was cancelled.

Another casualty was a programme featuring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The actor's wife gave her blessing to the idea but then her doctor telephoned producer Malcolm Morris to say that the strain of keeping the secret from her husband was making her ill. Fairbanks must either be told or the programme cancelled. Morris chose to ditch the show.

After spending its first nine years on the BBC, This Is Your Life went off air for five years in the Sixties and returned in 1969 on ITV. When Andrews died in 1987, Michael Aspel picked up the big red book. The programme reverted to the BBC in the mid-Nineties and has recently had a troubled existence. Whereas once it offered a rare glimpse into the world of celebrity, we now live on a wall-to-wall diet of the rich and famous and This Is Your Life has struggled to keep up. It has also battled to book guests, with such subjects as Jeremy Clarkson admitting he is on the "celebrity E-list".

Some guests are so young that the show's title seems a complete misnomer. Soap opera cast members seem to be in the studio every other week, either as subjects or as friends and colleagues.

In 1994, a tribute to Lennox Lewis was scrapped at the last minute after the boxer lost a defence of his world title. "He was hardly in the right frame of mind for a fun TV programme. It would have been totally wrong for us not to have called it off," said a spokesman - to the great frustration of Lewis's handlers.

Nearly a decade on, there is a sense that the boot is on the other foot. Oasis pop star Noel Gallagher reportedly turned down the chance to appear and advised Michael Aspel where he could stuff his red book. "The problem is that the new breed of celebrity refuses to appear," said a BBC insider. "It is beginning to look far too outdated."

Gallagher's refusal has become a milestone in the history of a once-glorious programme. It was not just that all too many viewers shared Gallagher's reported view that the programme was "naff". The anecdote also undermined the notion that surprise is the essence. For all the producers' protestations about the importance of secrecy, insiders have been quoted as saying that most guests know they are going to be on the show - tipped off by spouses and partners. Whether or not that is true, the fact that people believe it in this age of cynicism means that the magic and mystique are gone.

By the last edition of the programme in August this year, it was watched by just 3.5 million viewers. The final subject was Aled Jones, the former choirboy who once had a huge national profile but is now little more than a memory. This Is Your Life, two years short of its 50th birthday, looks set to acquire the same epitaph.

The Independent 22 October 2003

THAT WAS YOUR LIFE: AFTER 1,000 EPISODES, BBC CLOSES THE RED BOOK

IAN BURRELL MEDIA AND CULTURE CORRESPONDENT

THE RED book from This Is Your Life will be left to gather dust on the archive shelves. The BBC said yesterday that it was dropping the show after almost 50 years.

The decision ends a programme that ran for more than 1,000 episodes and featured some of the greatest stars of the 20th century, including Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope and Bobby Moore.

The show, hosted by Michael Aspel, has recently struggled to get the high calibre of guests it enjoyed in the past, and audiences have slipped to 3.5 million from the 20 million of its heyday 20 years ago.

Lorraine Heggessey, the BBC1 controller, said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

This Is Your Life was inspired by an American radio show and was first screened in Britain in 1955. It had an inauspicious start when its first secret guest - the footballer Stanley Matthews - was named in advance by the Daily Sketch. Eamonn Andrews, the show's original host, built a devoted audience, raiding the BBC costume department for an extraordinary range of disguises that enabled him to surprise his guests. He dressed up as an airline steward to catch out Shirley Bassey and pretended to be an astronaut to trick the astronomer Patrick Moore. [Bigredbook.info editor: Eamonn rarely used disguises during the early BBC years, and the two subjects mentioned here are from the ITV years]

The BBC decided in 1964 that the show had run its course. Andrews persuaded Thames to make the programme for ITV, where it enjoyed its most successful years between 1969 and 1993.

Star guests included Joan Collins, Dudley Moore and Lord Mountbatten. Aspel took over in 1988 after Andrews died, and in 1994 the programme returned to BBC1.

The show has recently been criticised for hiring guests who had not reached middle age. Aled Jones, the choirboy turned television presenter, appeared on the programme in August.

But many of the stars of the programme's earlier years were only able to tell a fraction of their life stories. David Frost, who was surprised when Andrews disguised himself as a wine waiter in 1972, is still broadcasting more than 30 years later, as is Rolf Harris, who was a guest in 1971.

Certainly the big red book was missing a few chapters when it featured Jeffrey Archer in January 1981, and when the show starred Gary Glitter in 1992.

But obituaries have been written before for This Is Your Life.

Talkback Thames, the production company that makes the show, said it was in talks with other broadcasters.

A spokesman said: "This Is Your Life is an institution and one which the British public have enjoyed for almost 50 years. We respect the BBC's decision not to re-commission the show but are actively talking to other broadcasters about it and are hopeful it will continue to delight audiences throughout the UK."

THE HIGHS... AND THE LOWS

Muhammad Ali appearing on the 1978 Christmas special; Eamonn Andrews surprising Michael Aspel, who would go on to take Andrews' place as the programme's host in 1988; and Aspel ambushing the actress Liz Dawn on the set of Coronation Street.

GREATEST COUP: Landing Muhammad Ali as guest for a Christmas Day special in 1978.

JET-SET MOMENT: Eamonn Andrews dressing up as an airline steward to surprise Shirley Bassey in 1972.

NASTY SURPRISE: Andrews approaching the author Richard Gordon in 1974 and being told to "piss off" on air. [Bigredbook.info editor: Gordon's actual response, live on air, was "Oh balls, it can't be"]

GLORY DAYS PAST: Pulling in only 3.5 million viewers for the story of the former choirboy Aled Jones in August this year.

The Independent 22 October 2003

LEADING ARTICLE: BRIEF LIVES

THAT WAS This Is Your Life, that was. After almost 50 years the red book is to be brandished for the last time.

Despite their protestations, real or feigned, almost all of the "victims" agreed to go along with the half-hour routine of bonhomie and reunions with long-lost half-brothers flown in from New Zealand. At any rate we should recall with respect the few who refused the invite: Doctor in the House author Richard Gordon who told Eamonn Andrews, who was host at the time, to "piss off" live on air in 1974; and Danny Blanchflower, the footballer, who more courteously but no less flatly refused to appear in 1961. [Bigredbook.info editor: Gordon's actual response, live on air, was "Oh balls, it can't be"]

The Mirror 22 October 2003

BBC AXE FOR THIS IS YOUR LIFE

NICOLA METHVEN

This Is Your Life has been ditched by the BBC after 48 years.

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

Eamonn Andrews first surprised celebrity guests with his red book in 1955. There have been 1,000 programmes since with stars including Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope and Dudley Moore.

In its heyday, the show pulled in 20 million viewers but the last edition in August featuring former choirboy Aled Jones was watched by 3.5 million.

The show moved to ITV from 1969 to 1993 but returned to the BBC in 1994 with presenter Michael Aspel, who took over in 1988 after Andrews' death.

But This Is Your Life may be back. Makers Talkback Thames hope another broadcaster will screen it. It said: "This Is Your Life is an institution and one which the British public have enjoyed for almost 50 years."

The Times 22 October 2003

BBC closes book on This Is Your Life

Jack Malvern

The big red book closed on This Is Your Life when the BBC announced yesterday that it was dropping the long-running series.

The programme, first broadcast in 1955, became an institution on both BBC and ITV, but BBC bosses said in May that the show would have to be revamped or dropped.

The programme struggled to attract younger celebrities and audiences dwindled from 20 million in its heyday to 3.5 million for its final show, featuring the singer Aled Jones.

Lorraine Heggessey, Controller of BBC One, said that she had cancelled the show with regret. "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye," she said.

Stars ranging from Dame Shirley Bassey to Sir Matt Busby have appeared on the show, but the latest series frequently had to fall back on lesser known celebrities.

Only two invitees refused to participate when surprised by Eamonn Andrews, the show's first long-term presenter. In 1961, Danny Blanchflower, captain of Tottenham Hotspur, made a dash for the door screaming: "Let me out." He would not take part, saying that he disliked the programme and everything it stood for.

Richard Gordon, the author of Doctor in the House, snubbed Mr Andrews on air. Upon hearing the catchphrase "This is your life", he turned to the camera and said: "Oh, balls, it's not." He later relented, however.

Other dramas included an unnamed man who, on the evening he was about to be "hit", turned up in a hotel bar with his mistress while his wife and family were hidden away in another room for a last minute run-through.

Andrews went to enormous lengths to surprise his guests. He was tied up in a sack to ambush the magician David Nixon, dressed as an airline steward for Dame Shirley, and appeared in an astronaut's suit to surprise Patrick Moore.

He also disguised himself as an Arab to catch Bill Roache on the set of Coronation Street, but failed to anticipate that the camel would break wind as Mr Roache stepped out of The Rover's Return.

The show was the brainchild of Ralph Edwards, an American who devised the format for American radio. Eamonn Andrews was surprised on the first show, and went on to present the programme for 32 years, until his death in 1987.

Michael Aspel took over and immediately had to deal with a disaster when Barry Foster, the actor best known as the star of Van der Valk, on ITV yelled: "You know what you can do with that book." [Bigredbook.info editor: Michael took over in 1988 and Barry Foster was surprised three years later!]

The actor was persuaded and the confrontation was edited out. Earl Mountbatten of Burma was the most bemused guest, however, when he responded. "What do you mean?"

He had never seen the show.

The programme moved to ITV between 1969 and 1993, before returning to the BBC in 1994 - and may yet survive. Talkback Thames, which owns the format, said the red book would return. It is currently in talks with rival broadcasters to revive the show.

The Times 22 October 2003

The long surprise

You begin your days in the United States in 1946, [Bigredbook.info editor: the programme began in 1948] when a radio show about the life of a disabled Second World War veteran is broadcast. Viewers, still raw from the war, love its personal approach and the show soon airs regularly. It features the wonderful lives and remarkable achievements of famous people one week, ordinary folks the next. In 1952 it transfers to television and becomes a hit. Remember this voice? "We sponsored the show in the States from the very beginning - it was a gold mine." That's right, it's Procter and Gamble, the household goods conglomerate who were the original sponsors of the programme.

A few years later, of course, in 1955, you cross the ocean and settle permanently in the UK. You make your home at the BBC, just as ITV is starting to become a threat. The BBC's bet pays off: you are a huge success. On the first show, you even manage to surprise the host: when the scheduled guest drops out, Eamonn Andrews becomes your first "life". The format is relentlessly upbeat and irresistible, a celebrity sighting plus intimate conversation. It is Hello! magazine, decades ahead of its time.

Sadly, in 1961, your American cousin is cancelled. Times are changing abroad, and at home. At the beginning of the Fifties in Britain, television was a luxury. Only 350,000 households had a set, and strict broadcasting rules applied: weekdays 9am to 11pm, with no more than two hours before 1pm, and nothing between 6pm and 7pm, to fool the children into going to bed. But by 1960 the rules have been relaxed and nearly three quarters of the population have a TV. It is losing its novelty value - just as life is starting to seem far more fantastic than a sitcom. The Profumo affair rocks the Establishment; the Beatles challenge Elvis Presley; Kennedy is elected, then shot. In 1964, you too leave the airwaves. But not for long. You are back in business five years later, in colour. You have a new home (ITV) and a new host (David Nixon). [Bigredbook.info editor: Eamonn Andrews was the host when the programme relaunched on ITV, and remained the host until his death in 1987. David Nixon presented one edition, in 1974, when Eamonn became a subject for a second time] At your peak, you are watched by an amazing 20 million viewers. Only a handful of stars refuse to appear after their fabulous friends, impossibly happy families and saintly tap-dance teacher have been lured to the studio from places as far away as Australia and Wales.

Your guest list glitters, and soon everybody seems to be a celebrity. Appearances include the model Twiggy in 1969 and legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in 1978. In 1993, you return to the BBC with Michael Aspel presenting, but the audience slowly deserts you. Famous people are no longer surprised by your big red book. The audience's attention span becomes shorter than a life condensed into a mere 30 minutes. And so, this was your life.

The Times 22 October 2003

24 hours

THE END: The BBC says it is to axe This Is Your Life after almost 50 years. The BBC programme, hosted by Michael Aspel, was first broadcast in 1955 with Eamonn Andrews as its presenter. Since then there have been more than 1,000 episodes.

Western Daily Press 22 October 2003

This Was Your Life

The famous red book is being slammed shut on This Is Your Life almost half a century after the programme was first aired, it was announced yesterday. The BBC has made the decision to axe the celebrity surprise show amid flagging viewing figures and a lack of willing big-name participants.

The format, which has seen more than 1,100 stars given the life story treatment, including Lord Mountbatten, Peter Ustinov, Bob Geldof and Zsa Zsa Gabor, was once a ratings winner and became a popular-entertainment institution.

With Eamonn Andrews at the helm, the programme commanded audiences of 20 million in its heyday, competing with the likes of Dallas.

Much of the charm came from the self-effacing host who went to great lengths to catch people unawares.

Most memorably, he donned an airline steward's uniform to surprise Shirley Bassey, and dressed as an astronaut to stun Patrick Moore. He also became a wine waiter to nab David Frost and was tied up in a sack to spring his surprise on magician David Nixon.

However, the show's opening suspense, played out to the now-legendary theme tune, and ability to capture audiences has long since faded under its present format.

The last edition of the programme was screened on August 9 this year, and featured former choirboy Aled Jones, who now presents Songs of Praise. It was watched by just 3.5 million people.

Critics have said a low point was reached in 2001 when actor Shaun Williamson, who plays Barry Evans in the BBC1 soap EastEnders, was the subject. BBC bosses have resigned themselves to the fact that both celebrity 'victims' and audiences are now harder to come by. But the door has been left open for a return of a revamped This Is Your Life in the future.

BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

"We want to thank everyone who has worked on making This Is Your Life a successful programme over so many years, from the presenter Michael Aspel, to the production teams and, of course, the many people who have been surprised by the big red book." Recent guests have included Bob Monkhouse, former EastEnders actress Gillian Taylforth and Good Morning presenter Fern Britton.

The hit list has included stars such as Des O'Connor, The Bee Gees, John Thaw, Rod Hull, Tony Blackburn, Phil Collins, Swindon-born Diana Dors and Billy Connolly.

Sportsmen who also accepted the honour include Barry Sheene, ex-boxer Henry Cooper, Nigel Mansell, George Best and Kevin Keegan.

Through the decades there have been fabled tales of celebrities who shunned the red book. But only three people ever turned down the honour - two of them live on air. [Bigredbook.info editor: only Richard Gordon was surprised live on air]

Tottenham Hotspur and Northern Ireland footballer Danny Blanchflower spurned Andrews in the 1950s to become the first to decline an appearance. [Bigredbook.info editor: Blanchflower was surprised in 1961]

Doctor in the House writer Richard Gordon made a more explosive rejection. He told Andrews to '**** off' live on air in 1974, although he was persuaded to do the show. [Bigredbook.info editor: Gordon's actual response, live on air, was "Oh balls, it can't be"]

Bill Oddie refused when surprised by Aspel, only changing his mind when his family twisted his arm.

The show sprang to life as a radio programme in the US in 1952, and was first aired on BBC1 in 1955. [Bigredbook.info editor: The radio programme began in 1948]

The meticulous planning for the very first UK programme was ruined after the Daily Sketch revealed in advance that the footballer Stanley Matthews was to be the inaugural victim. Producers were faced with finding a last-minute substitute - and Eamonn Andrews was told it would be boxer Freddie Mills.

But the tables were turned when Andrews found himself as the debut subject with Ralph Edwards presenting him with the red book.

He burst into tears when his mother, Margaret, was brought on.

The show moved to ITV between 1969 and 1993 before returning to the BBC in 1994 with host Aspel, who took over the show in 1988 following Andrews' death a year earlier. Many had expected the programme to die with Andrews, but it was so popular it carried on with Aspel.

Yesterday's BBC announcement may not quite spell the end. Programme-maker Talkback Thames said it was talking to rival broadcasters. A spokesman said: "This Is Your Life is an institution and one which the British public have enjoyed for almost 50 years."

"We respect the BBC's decision not to re-commission the show but are actively talking to other broadcasters about it and are hopeful it will continue to delight audiences throughout the UK."

The Guardian 23 October 2003

No 2,394 This Is Your Life

Michael Aspel! Imagine my surprise! What are you doing hero? I am not Michael Aspel.

I simply didn't recognise you in that divine Grim Reaper disguise! You are clever! Come with me, please.

It's such an honour to be selected to appear on This Is Your Life! When does it air? It doesn't.

What do you mean? This Is Your Life has been, as they say, axed.

It can't be. I'm afraid so. After 48 years, hundreds of guests and just two presenters, the venerable programme has been put out of its misery.

Why? Falling ratings, mostly. At its height. TIYL regularly attracted audiences of 20 million. Just 3.5 million tuned in to see the last edition featuring Aled Jones.

Believe me, those aren't bad numbers for Aled Jones. That's the problem; they just couldn't get the guests. The show used to pull luminaries of the magnitude of Muhammad Ali, Douglas Bader and Shirley Bassey. More recently it celebrated the lives of Bargain Hunt's David Dickinson and Maureen from Driving School. Noel Gallagher famously said "Stuff your red book!" when he was approached.

What does BBC1 controller Lorraine Heggessey have to say about this outrage? "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye."

What does that mean? It means goodbye.

But TIYL is a BBC tradition! Has she no sense of history? Actually, for most of its 48 years TIYL was on ITV. It only returned to the BBC in 1994.

Tell me one final interesting fact about the programme. Only two guests have ever refused to participate live on air; Northern Ireland manager Danny Blanchflower and Doctor in the House author Richard Gordon.

So where are you taking me? Just follow the light, please.

Belfast News Letter 23 October 2003

SHOW'S DEMISE TRANSPARENT TO SEE

SUZANNE BREEN

THE IRA isn't the only organisation for which old habits die hard. The BBC has finally decided to decommission This Is Your Life.

Many of us thought it should have done so years ago. This Is Your Life began in 1955 when Dixon of Dock Green was launched. While its contemporaries passed away over the decades, it soldiered on.

It even refused to expire with host Eamonn Andrews, surviving under Michael Aspel. Its formula didn't change in 48 years. Its corny opening ambush and procession of moderately famous guests was enough to make the most mild-mannered viewer reach for their revolver.

Limp and lacklustre, it managed to make interesting people seem boring. It increasingly chose its subjects from the ranks of the mediocre.

By even taking part, the guests showed dubious judgment. Northern Ireland footballer Danny Blanchflower was one of the few approached who had some class.

"This is your life," Eamonn Andrews declared to him in 1961. "No it isn't," Blanchflower shouted as he did a runner. A Devon vicar substituted on screen that night.

Each week's guests seemed to be a variation of Bob Monkhouse. Though in the days when there wasn't even a whiff of suspicion about him, Gary Glitter managed to sneak in.

Andrews and Aspel sprung the red book on those still able to recognise their old friends and remember sentimental anecdotes. They avoided any unpleasantness on the closing pages.

There was always an old teacher or cute kid to cuddle. Even at an early age, most of us who grew up with the show suspected life just didn't always work out so neat.

This Is Your Life was never the place for a controversial statement. The most 'shocking' episode was in the late '70s when Z Cars actor Frank Windsor, caught by surprise at a police dinner, told a few dodgy jokes and then started crying.

Its die-hard fans insist there is still a place for This Is Your Life. It doesn't cost much to make and never attracts viewer complaints.

Privately, Gerry Adams is most likely embarrassed that the men with woolly faces are still lurking around. One suspects the BBC has similarly long wished This Is Your Life would disappear.

But before anyone celebrates, it should be remembered the show has been ditched twice before - only to be resurrected. This is another process which, unfortunately, mightn't be over yet.

BBC News Online 24 October 2003

R.I.P. This Is Your Life

THE BIG RED BOOK has finally closed on This Is Your Life. The BBC is dropping the TV show almost 50 years after it first came to the airwaves.

Born in 1955, of American parentage - it was inspired by a US radio show - This Is Your Life was originally fronted by the amply chinned Irishman Eamonn Andrews.

An intrusive child, This Is Your Life's format was to pick on a celebrity and subject them to an impromptu retrospective of their life, in front of a studio audience and millions of viewers.

The element of surprise was crucial to the set-up, with Andrews going to great lengths to disguise himself and sidle up to the unsuspecting star, before retrieving the trademark book.

Once in the studio, disembodied voices were the prelude to long-lost friends appearing. Invariably, tears of joy were shed.

Difficult birth

Breech born - the initial show came out the wrong way round when, prior to broadcast, a newspaper named Stanley Matthews as the first guest - it went on to great things.

At its height, it commanded audiences of 20 million and counted Muhammad Ali, Joan Collins and Shirley Bassey among its guests.

Inevitably, though, not everyone warmed to its slightly clumsy nature. Footballer Danny Blanchflower and actor Richard Gordon spurned the proffered book while comedian Ronnie Barker never got that far.

His wife's hushed phone calls to the programme's researchers led him to believe she was having an affair. When he uncovered the truth the show was cancelled.

In later years, then fronted by Michael Aspel, poor health put This Is Your Life in seemingly terminal decline. Its last outing attracted just 3.5 million viewers.

Rumours of a resuscitation persist, however, with the show's guardian, Talkback Thames, touting for another channel to broadcast it.

No flowers.

Daily Post 24 October 2003

HALF A CENTURY OF SURPRISES COMES TO AN END

VALERIE HILL

THE big red book of This Is Your Life has finally slammed shut after nearly 50 years of programmes celebrating the sanitised lives of the famous.

Apparently, it's difficult to attract younger celebrities and ratings went from 20 million at its peak (albeit during limited TV competition) down to 3.5 million for the last show with singer Aled Jones.

To me, the biggest surprise is that it's lasted so long. Launched by the BBC, it was taken up, then later dropped by ITV some years back as being too old fashioned and then picked up by the BBC again, who are now dumping it once more.

The most amusing moments in This Is Your Life's bland format were with those stars unhappy at being surprised by hosts Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel and their big red books.

Footballer Danny Blanchflower made a dash for the door screaming: "Let me out." When Andrews appeared on the pitch to nab Emlyn Hughes, "Crazy Horse" characteristically elbowed him into the mud. Novelist Richard Gordon, author of the "Doctor" books, on hearing the catchphrase, "This is your life" turned to the camera and gasped, "Oh b**ls, it's not."

Disguising himself as an Arab on a camel to catch Coronation Street actor Bill Roache, Andrews was as startled as his "hit" when the beast suddenly broke wind outside the Rover's Return. On Aspel's first show, actor Barry Foster, best known as Dutch detective Van der Valk, yelled at him, "You know what you can do with that book." [Bigredbook.info editor: Michael took over in 1988, Barry Foster was surprised three years later!]

Lord Mountbatten was merely curious, responding to the catch phrase with, "What do you mean?" In true aristocratic vein, he had never seen the show. However, you can bet your bottom licence fee that it's only a matter of time before some television executive out there decides that we need more traditional telly and back the programme comes. Let's hope we've got a few new celebs by then.

Aberdeen Press and Journal 25 October 2003

So, it's farewell then to This Is Your Life. The red book is to be left to gather dust on the archive shelves. The BBC said yesterday that it was dropping the show after almost 50 years and more than 1000 episodes.

This Is Your Life was first screened in Britain in 1955. It had an unfortunate start when its first secret guest - the footballer Stanley Matthews - was named in advance by a tabloid newspaper.

Eamonn Andrews, the show's original host, built a devoted audience, raiding the BBC costume department for an extraordinary range of disguises that enabled him to surprise his guests.

Sadly, the show became more and more about mediocre "celebrities", people who weren't even household names in their own households. Unlike John Prescott, who's a household name in his four households.

North Devon Journal 30 October 2003

But It's 'Au Revoir Not Goodbye'

In its heyday the show regularly attracted more than 20 million viewers. But now, faced with dwindling viewing figures the BBC has decided to axe This Is Your Life. The decision was taken after just 3.5 million viewers tuned in for one of its latest shows featuring the Welsh singer Aled Jones.

This Is Your Life was first broadcast in 1955 and was based on an American programme which took the idea from a 1948 radio show.

The Big Red Book has since become one of the most recognisable props on British television and the show has run for almost 50 years. The first subject was the original presenter Eamonn Andrews, who was handed the book by the programme originator Ralph Edwards.

After the death of Andrews in 1987 Michael Aspel took on the role of presenter in 1988 but decided to leave the show in June this year after 15 years.

Lorraine Heggessey, controller of BBC One, said: "It's never easy to bring such a long-running show as This Is Your Life to an end, but I see this more as au revoir than goodbye." The show has been struggling in recent years and the BBC was originally hoping to revamp the programme.

In June a BBC spokesman said: "The world of celebrity has moved on and we are looking at different ways of tackling this subject." During almost 50 years of filming the show has had only two refusals to accept the honour of the Big Red Book, one of which came live on air from author Richard Gordon who later changed his mind. The youngest person to receive the book was 19-year-old model Twiggy. [Bigredbook.info editor: David Butler, who lost his legs in a mortar bomb explosion, was the programme's youngest subject at the age of 17. He was surprised in his headmaster's study in March 1962]

Aberdeen Press and Journal 31 October 2003

This is Your Life

Sir - I was pleased to read that the TV programme This Is Your Life was to end. It was well past its sell-by date.

Obviously, they were scraping the barrel to find suitable candidates lately.

When the programme began, with Eamonn Andrews hosting it, there were plenty of people around who were worthy of an appearance on the show. However, it deteriorated over the years.

This Is Your Life began with people who had spent a lifetime doing what they did, whereas, recently, anyone who was a minor celebrity for a few years was making an appearance.

Quite a few subjects were not known to the general public before they made an appearance.

Christina Palmer, Carnyx, Aultvaich, Beauly.

This is Lancashire 6 November 2003

End of the Big Red Book

HALF a century on and the Big Red Book has been given a red card.

This Is Your Life - a television institution loved by the British public - is being given the chop after 50 years on the box.

The biographical show was first broadcast by the BBC in 1955 and was then presented by Eamonn Andrews who used to go to alarming lengths to surprise the recipients of the big red book.

He once masqueraded as an airline steward to catch Shirley Bassey and even dressed up as an astronaut to trick Patrick Moore.

And some of Bolton's famous faces did not manage to escape the immortal words "This Is Your Life" broadcast to the 20 million viewers the show pulled in its heyday.

Back in March 1972 Farnworth's Hylda Baker was the subject. She found fame as Nellie Pledge heiress to a pickle factory and whose constant malapropisms had the nation in stitches.

In November 1986 former Bolton Octagon actor Gorden Kaye appeared and more recently Bolton Wanderers soccer legend Nat Lofthouse received the Red Book in April 1993.

Nat was the 598th person to appear on the show. [Bigredbook.info editor: Nat was actually subject number 852]

Since its start there have been more than 1000 episodes with other guests including Muhammad Ali, Bob Hope, Dudley Moore, Lulu and Richard Branson.

Most of the recipients were gracious in being selected to have their lives aired in public. However some were not, notably creator of the Doctor In The House books Richard Gordon and Tottenham Hotspur and Northern Ireland international footballer Danny Blanchflower. Gordon muttered an expletive before walking off but was coaxed back and eventually agreed to appear.

The show moved to ITV between 1969 and 1993 before returning to the BBC in 1994 along with new host Michael Aspel who took over in 1988 following the death of Eamonn Andrews.

But the announcement by the BBC may not spell the end of This Is Your Life - the last programme featuring former choirboy Aled Jones only managed to pull in 3.3 million viewers - because programme makers Talkback Thames said they were in talks with rival broadcasters.

A spokesman said: "This Is Your Life is an institution and one which the British public have enjoyed for almost 50 years."

"We respect the BBC's decision not to re-commission the show but we are actively talking to other broadcasters about it and are hopeful it will continue to delight audiences throughout the UK."

Which is good news for the new breed of Bolton stars. After all the likes of Peter Kay, Vernon Kay, Ralf Little, Sara Cox and Mark Radcliffe deserve to hear those immortal words... This Is Your Life

The Sun 8 November 2003

TV LETTER

I'm disgusted the BBC is dropping This Is Your Life - hosts Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel have awarded the big red book to some fantastic guests down the years. I realise it's difficult to find a whole series of quality guests, but why not just make occasional specials?

Mr R Sutton, Leiston, Suffolk