This Is Your Life: Gareth Edwards

Gareth EDWARDS MBE (1947-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Gareth Edwards, rugby union player, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of the Wales Rugby Union team - as he left a business meeting in central London.

Gareth, who was born in Glamorgan, won a scholarship to the elite Millfield Public School in Somerset, where he excelled in several sports, including soccer, gymnastics and athletics. He ultimately chose rugby and debuted for Cardiff RFC in September 1966.

Having won his first international cap for Wales in April 1967, he became the youngest-ever international rugby captain at the age of 20 in February 1968. As scrum-half, he was a prominent part of a national team that dominated rugby union during the 1960s and 1970s.

"Dirty trick that!"

programme details...

Edition No: 436
Subject No: 433
Broadcast date: Wed 7 Apr 1976
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 31 Mar 1976
Venue: Euston Road Studios
Series: 16
Edition: 22
Code name: Ball

on the guest list...

members of the Wales rugby union team
Steve Hamer
Maureen - wife
Ann - mother
Glan - father
Gloria - sister
Gethin - brother
Huw Davies
Darryl Cole
Geoffrey Davies
Bill Samuel
Alan Pascoe
Nick Williams
Lynn Davies
Barry John
Willie John McBride
Cliff Morgan
Kay - sister-in-law
Owen - son
Rhys - son
Roger Young

production team...

Researcher: Marilyn Gaunt
Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Director: Philip Casson
Producer: Jack Crawshaw

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Up and Under

tackling rugby's top names

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Barry John

Willie John McBride

Cliff Morgan

Screenshots of Gareth Edwards This Is Your Life

Scriptwriter Roy Bottomley recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, This Is Your Life: The Story of Television's Famous Big Red Book...

On a business trip to London, Gareth stepped out of an office building, and a motor coach pulled to a halt. Led by Mervyn Davies - another Life subject - the whole Welsh squad piled out [Bigredbook.info editor: Actually, Mervyn Davies was unwell and unable to make the recording].

British Lion's captain, Willie John McBride - whom we surprised in front of the crowd at Dublin's Lansdowne Road when his turn came - described Gareth as 'the linch-pin of the side'.

Series 16 subjects