Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Gary Rhodes, restaurateur and television chef, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a photo shoot for his new television series at the BBC Television Centre in London.

Gary, who was born in Dulwich, London, became interested in cooking at an early age. Encouraged by his stepfather, he attended catering college in Thanet before becoming a commis chef at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel. Having recovered from head injuries suffered in a road accident, he toured Europe in various jobs before becoming sous chef at the Reform Club in London.

He worked at London's Capital Hotel before becoming head chef at the Castle Hotel in Taunton. In 1990, he returned to London as head chef at the Greenhouse restaurant in Mayfair, where he was awarded a Michelin Star in January 1996. Having made guest appearances on several television programmes, Gary was given his own BBC series, Rhodes Around Britain, in 1994.

"I can't believe this! What is going on here? I don't believe this! I can't believe this! This is not real! What have you done to me! What have you done to me! I've got the shakes - I was calm a minute ago!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 949
• Subject No: 924
• Broadcast date: Fri 27 Sep 1996
• Broadcast time: 8.00-8.30pm
• Recorded: Fri 20 Sep 1996
• Venue: unknown
• Series: 37
• Edition: 2
• Code name: Spike

on the guest list...

• Jennie - wife
• Jean - mother
• John - stepfather
• Christopher - brother
• Cheryl - sister
• Anna - sister
• Steve Grant
• Peter Barrett
• Cheryl Baker
• Alan Jefford
• Kit Chapman
• Glynn Christian
• Vince Murphy
• Raymond Blanc
• George Walker - uncle
• Sam - son
• George - son
• Bryan Robson
• Dr Jan Swenkells
Filmed tributes:
• Albert Roux
• Alex Ferguson
• Eric Cantona
• members of Manchester Utd FC team
• Brian Turner

related appearances...

• Cheryl Baker - Nov 1997
• The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000
• Marguerite Patten - Jan 2000
• John Barnes - Apr 2001

production team...

• Researchers: Elizabeth Ross, Clare de Vries
• Writer: Ian Brown
• Directors: Terry Kinane, Paul Kirrage
• Associate Producer: Sue Green
• Executive Producer: John Longley
• Producer: John Graham

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

The Spice of Life

serving up a feast

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

The Big Red Book

the programme's icon

Ratings slump sounds death knell for This Is Your Life

Press speculation on the future of This Is Your Life

Cheryl Baker

Screenshots of Gary Rhodes This Is Your Life