This Is Your Life: Joe Longthorne

Joe LONGTHORNE (1955-2019)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Joe Longthorne, singer and impressionist, was surprised by Michael Aspel as he took his applause at the end of a concert at Manchester's Apollo Theatre.

Joe landed a part in the Yorkshire Television series Junior Showtime at the age of 14, and remained with the show for over two years. He later turned professional and earned a living in Northern working men's clubs. He was back on television in 1981 when he entered ITV's Search For a Star, performing as a singer and impressionist.

His success on television led to appearances at the London Palladium and a month-long season at London's Talk of the Town. He appeared regularly on several television programmes in the 1980s, notably The Les Dennis Laughter Show and the Royal Variety Performance. In 1988 he was given his own television series, The Joe Longthorne Show.

"I'm shaking!"

programme details...

Edition No: 880
Subject No: 867
Broadcast date: Wed 20 Apr 1994
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Sun 20 Mar 1994
Venue: unknown
Series: 34
Edition: 14
Code name: Bush

on the guest list...

Teresa - mother
Fred - father
Liz Dawn
Bill Tarmey
Anne - sister
Bobby Bennett
Norman Collier
Roy Walker
Eddie Large
Syd Little
Ernie Dunstall
Danny La Rue
Dr Tony Childs
Ray Martin
Marti Caine
Les Dennis
Jim Davidson

production team...

Researcher: Elizabeth Ross
Writer: Norman Giller
Director: Brian Klein
Associate Producer: John Graham
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

A Song For Life

It's the singer not the song

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Photographs and screenshots of Joe Longthorne This Is Your Life

Joe Longthorne recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in his autobiography, Sugar in the Morning...

I was, in time-honoured tradition, surprised by Michael Aspel with his big red book, at the Manchester Apollo, announcing, 'JOE LONGTHORNE – THIS IS YOUR LIFE,' which was aired on ITV on 20 April.

It was one of the proudest moments of my life when Michael stepped out on stage at the end of my concert. I was amazed. I can honestly say I did not have a clue about what was going to happen. The whole occasion was like a dream, and what had happened didn't really sink in until I saw the TV recording of the show several weeks later. The evening itself was very moving and emotional – to walk out and see all my family and friends together was wonderful, and to share it with 3,000 people who had come to see me was just brilliant. Most of all, it was fantastic to be able to share the evening with Mam and Dad. I really feel it was as much their night as mine.

Roy Walker, Little and Large, Liz Dawn and Bill Tarmey were all on the show, along with Norman Collier, Bobby Bennett, Danny La Rue and Dr Childs. Those who couldn't make it but sent their best wishes on video were Les Dennis, Marti Caine and Jim Davidson. Ray Martin, from Australia, even appeared with all of the audience from his show that day.

Danny La Rue and I were good friends, and everyone should know that not only was he a great performer, he was also a marvellously warm and generous man. He really was in a class of his own. When he passed away in May 2009, it was yet another sad loss to the UK entertainment world. There really was nobody like him and probably never will be again.

Jim Davidson and I were mates long before we ever hit television, and he has been very good to me over the years.

The producers had also dug up a clip of me from Junior Showtime as a barrow boy, and ran a clip from my appearance as Dick Whittington in Noel's House Party Pantomime. They also played part of the video of Marti and I singing 'I'll Never Love This Way Again.' I auctioned off the big red book for charity on Richard and Judy and it raised a lot of money for leukaemia research, something like £7,000.

To see Mam's face radiating joy and happiness throughout the night was better than anything else. Don't get me wrong, it really was a wonderful evening and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, but it is Mam's face that sticks in my mind even now. I know Dad enjoyed it very much too.

Dad even cracked a gag when Michael Aspel said he played the piano by ear. He said, 'Yes, I use my fingers sometimes as well.' They were both as proud as punch – and for Mam, I think it then made it official that I was a star.

Joe Longthorne recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in his limited edition souvenir brochure...

It was one of the most memorable moments of my life when Michael Aspel stepped out on stage at the end of my concert at the Manchester Apollo, smiled and said: Joe Longhorn... This Is Your Life.

It came as a complete surprise to me. I was amazed...

The whole occasion was like a dream and what had happened didn't really sink in until I saw the TV recording of the show several weeks later. The evening itself was very moving and emotional - to walk out and see all my family and friends together was wonderful. Yet most of all it was fantastic to be able to share the evening and the surprises with my mum and dad. It was as much their night as mine.

It was such a great occasion that I have decided I would like to share it with you as well. This book is virtually a replica of the one presented to me after the show. It contains pictures from a memorable occasion. The actual book itself was auctioned off for charity and raised a lot of money for Leukaemia Research.

But this is a very special souvenir brochure which captures that very special evening... and a few surprises.

The moment I was well and truly caught. Michael Aspel walks out on stage at the Manchester Apollo with those immortal words: Joe Longthorne... This Is Your Life. What a surprise! What a night. But I was absolutely delighted that I could experience that moment with the 3,000 people in the Apollo audience who came to see my Manchester concert. It was something special. I don't know who was more thrilled.

A wonderful evening is about to begin. A night of memories, a night of magic. I'm slowly realising what has happened, but have no idea of what lies ahead. Is it really me?

It was such a great thrill to be able to share this evening with my parents. It was their night as well as mine. Seeing their faces at every new surprise was as special as the night itself. In this picture, my sister Ann (left), Aunt Rose and cousin Nick share the spotlight with Mum and Dad.

Michael Aspel is enjoying himself as he reads out extracts from Joe Longthorne's story... Do you remember this voice?

I've had time to relax a little now and prepare for even more surprises...

It was great to see so many of my family, friends and fans in the audience - I think I'm going to enjoy this show.

It really is a very great honour to be chosen to appear as the subject on This Is Your Life. There have been so many wonderful stars featured on the show, it's a privilege to be in such distinguished company. A great achievement... But who's coming on next?

Jack and Vera Duckworth take a night off from the Rover's Return... Elizabeth Dawn, who plays Vera is a fine actress - and Bill Tarmey is not only an accomplished actor as we have seen on TV, but a successful singer and recording artist in his own right. It was fabulous to see them both. I've been a great fan of "Coronation Street" for years and as you can imagine the programme has provided me with a lot of material for my own shows!

Now look here, our Jack. When Liz was trying to relate a story... she started me off and I was soon impersonating both characters from the Street... and a few others for good measure. We're all very good friends, and shortly after the show was screened, Liz and I recorded the song "Passing Strangers" together which has been released as a single.

Order please! All round the room! It's Norman Collier - one of the funniest men in showbusiness, who, like me, hails from Hull. Norman has such a unique style of entertaining and so much warmth. He's had a great impact on my career over the years. I only hope he doesn't go into his chicken routine...

Marti Caine and I have known each other for years and appeared together on many shows. She is one of Britain's foremost talents - a very funny lady, but what a singing voice. She has been an inspiration to so many people in recent years.

Another great performer - Les Dennis. I was privileged to appear with him as his special guest on his BBC Television show "The Les Dennis Laughter Show" a few years back. To be part of that show was a great experience for me and I will always be grateful to Les Dennis for the help he gave me and the opportunity. That show proved a big break for me.

Roy Walker and I go back a long, long way. We're good mates. He's a great comedian I admire him so much. He has a very dry sense of humour and makes me laugh all the time with his gentle Irish comedy.

Bobby Bennett was very important to me early in my career. We met on "Junior Showtime" many years ago and he helped me enormously. When I first went on to that show, I was very young. I could hardly read or write. Each show was scripted and you had to learn your lines or fall by the wayside. So I was stuck... Bobby Bennett took me under his wing and came to my rescue. He showed me how it could be done and pointed me in the right direction. He really was an inspiration to me. He took time to help me grow and develop as a performer. He taught me so much and I'll always be grateful to him.

I hold Norman Collier in such high esteem that all the chickens at my house have been named "NORMAN" after him.

The legendary Danny La Rue. The greatest showman in British entertainment; a doyen of showbusiness. Danny is not only a great performer, but a marvellously warm and generous man. He conducts the art of entertaining with great panache. There's no-one quite like Danny; he's in a class of his own and has such style. I first saw him when appearing at the Prince of Wales Theatre in one of his long-running London shows. We've known each other for a long time and I treasure his friendship.

Jim Davidson (dressed as Buttons) took time off from appearing in his hit West End show, "Sinderella", to pay a very warm tribute to me. We've been all over the world together and were mates long before we ever hit television. Jim has been very good to me over the years and helped me a lot in my career.

My mother had a wonderful evening. Her face radiated joy and happiness throughout the show - it was so good to see her enjoying herself.

Syd and Eddie - Little and Large - are two of the nicest people you could over care to meet. Marvellous people, good guys. We've appeared together on many occasions in the past and were in Blackpool for summer season in 1993 at the Opera House. I'm a great fan of theirs and I hope their success continues to grow. Little and Large have proved they can be hilariously funny on stage without ever having to resort to blue material, and I admire that. They are the epitome of good wholesome family entertainment... and I applaud them for it. It's good to see. Showbusiness needs more people like Syd and Eddie.

At the end of the show it was a marvellous thrill to see and greet Dr Anthony Childs. He is an incredible man. Tony is one of Britain's pioneers in Leukaemia... he is quite simply a genius and has helped so many people.

Dr Childs was the man - with his wonderful team - who saved my life after I was diagnosed having lymphoma. So I owe everything to him. Over the years, together - and with the enormous help of my fans and fan club - we have raised a lot of money for research into leukaemia and the world-famous Leeds General Infirmary University Hospital where Doctor Childs carries out his life-saving work. The world needs people like him so being able to help in a small way is a great honour for me... and it's a privilege to share Tony's friendship.

When the last surprise had been revealed, Michael Aspel sidled over and handed me the big red book. I was still in a daze, but very, very happy... and very emotional.

My family and friends gather round at the end of a memorable show - a night to remember. Another chapter closes... but really it's only the beginning!

Series 34 subjects