This Is Your Life: Julian Clary

Julian CLARY (1959-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Julian Clary, comedian, actor and presenter, was surprised by Michael Aspel during the curtain call of the pantomime Cinderella at the Richmond Theatre, from where the programme was then recorded.

Julian studied English and Drama at Goldsmith's College and began his career on the alternative comedy scene under the alias The Joan Collins Fan Club. With his heavy glam make-up, outrageous clothes and his pet whippet Fanny the Wonder Dog, he successfully toured his cabaret act throughout the 1980s.

After several appearances on Channel 4's Friday Night Live in the late 1980s, he co-hosted the ITV game show Trick or Treat in 1989 before achieving greater success later that year with his own high-camp gameshow, Sticky Moments. This led to further success on television with the sitcom Terry and Julian, and light entertainment shows All Rise for Julian Clary and Prickly Heat.

"You'll be sorry!"

programme details...

Edition No: 1087
Subject No: 1062
Broadcast date: Fri 28 Dec 2001
Broadcast time: 8.30-9.00pm
Recorded: Mon 17 Dec 2001
Venue: Richmond Theatre
Series: 42
Edition: 8
Code name: Prince

on the guest list...

Frankie - sister
Beverley - sister
Brenda - mother
Peter - father
Nicholas Parsons
Judith Chalmers
Stacey Young
Paul Young
Cleo Rocos
Jasper Conran
Denise van Outen
Richard Nelson
Don Somner
Frances Lawrence
Dana Gillespie
Tess Greenwood - aunt
Ken Greenwood - uncle
Pen Taylor
Jane Janovic
Hector Ktorides
Philip Herbert
Neil Bartlett
Frank Thornton
Erika Poole
June Whitfield
Valerie the dog
Jonathan Ross
Paul O'Grady
Paul Merton
Davina McCall

production team...

Researcher: Jo Grant
Writer: Ian Brown
Director: John Gorman
Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
Executive Producer: John Longley
Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
Producer: Sue Green

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

That's Entertainment

there's no business like it

Screenshots of Julian Clary This Is Your Life

News Shopper 27 December 2001

Actor's surprise is pure theatre

Theatre-goers couldn't believe their eyes when Michael Aspel, armed with his red book, popped up to surprise Julian Clary at the finale of last Monday's performance of Cinderella at Richmond Theatre.

Clary, who plays Dandini, Prince Charming's right-hand man, was gob-smacked as he was told "Julian Clary, this is your life". But the camp performer soon regained his composure and planted a kiss on each of Aspel's cheeks in typically luvvie fashion.

It soon became obvious that the rest of the cast were also clueless about the surprise as they looked at each other for guidance then sheepishly shuffled off the stage after Clary had been whisked away to powder his nose ready for filming.

Outside, the well-oiled This Is Your Life crew had taken over, and surrounded the building barking instructions into walkie talkies: "Another limo's arrived. Who's got the guest list?"

Slowly but surely the star-studded audience arrived: first Nicholas Parsons, then Judith Chalmers and June Whitfield.

Clary wore a shimmering red suit as audiences heard about his childhood as a rowers' cox complete with the obvious filthy puns. Even the normally conservative Aspel resorted to a couple of double entendres, lapped up by the audience.

Sadie and Paul Young and Jasper Conran sat on the work side of the stage, while Julian sat next to his parents and sisters on the family side. Friend and colleague Denise Van Outen was the first surprise through the doors, followed by Clary's old English teacher and finally actress June Whitfield who led on Clary's beloved dog, Valerie.

Television messages from Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Paul O'Grady aka Lily Savage all thanked Clary for being charming, funny, and such a pleasure to work with. The show will be broadcast shortly on BBC 1.

Metro 27 October 2009

How did it feel when Michael Aspel got his 'big red one' out?

Marvellous. I had such a fantastic evening. If I'd been asked beforehand, I would have said: 'Oooh no, don't do that to me.' It's like a wedding day. All your friends and family are there in one place and it's all organised for you. Mind you, I'm still waiting for the book to arrive. Six months later and it's still not here. Where is it, Michael?

Series 42 subjects