Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life returned as a weekly fixture in the BBC's Monday evening schedule for its third series, which launched with a preview article in Radio Times. Six names featured in this series - which ran significantly longer than the previous two - were surprised for a second time in future years, including the first subject to be honoured twice.
The programme returned to its previous home, the BBC Television Theatre in London. However, several editions were broadcast from elsewhere in the UK, including the first edition from Wales, followed later in the series with the first from Scotland – which was also the first to interrupt a live theatre performance.
Other worthy mentions in this series include a subject surprised on his honeymoon, the 50th subject, a St Patrick's Day special and the programme's one and only deceased subject. And 'by viewer's special request', the BBC repeated This Is Your Life for the first time - with an edition referred to by one reviewer as: 'THE life of the whole series'.
The BBC was again accused of 'intrusion' and 'exploiting emotions' as an outpouring of press criticism followed the broadcast of one edition. However, the announcement of a former Scotland Yard detective employed as the programme's new researcher produced more favourable press coverage. Meanwhile, host Eamonn Andrews and producer Leslie Jackson revealed more behind-the-scenes secrets.
related pages...
surprised again!
the show's fifty year history
Radio Times previews the third series
Press coverage of the production team's new member
Interview with the first producer of This Is Your Life
Eamonn Andrews reveals his plans as the series ends
This Is Your Life by Eamonn Andrews
Weekend Magazine reports from behind-the-scenes
Eamonn Andrews - Answers the Question that Everyone Asks Him!
Eamonn Andrews defends his high-profile
| Albert WHELAN | Singer and entertainer | 30 September 1957 |
| Colin HODGKINSON | Former Royal Air Force pilot | 7 October 1957 |
| Vera LYNN | Singer and entertainer | 14 October 1957 |
| Arthur CHRISTIANSEN | Journalist and newspaper editor | 21 October 1957 |
| John Logie BAIRD | Engineer and inventor | 28 October 1957 |
| Richard CARR-GOMM | Charity founder and former soldier | 4 November 1957 |
| Jack TRAIN | Actor | 11 November 1957 |
| Edith Muriel POWELL | Nurse | 18 November 1957 |
| Anne BRUSSELMANS | Former resistance leader | 25 November 1957 |
| Norman WISDOM | Comedian and actor | 2 December 1957 |
| Victor SILVESTER | Dancer, musician and band leader | 9 December 1957 |
| Jack PETERSEN | Boxer | 16 December 1957 |
| Lucy Jane DOBSON | Retired seamstress | 23 December 1957 |
| David BELL | Businessman, campaigner and former soldier | 30 December 1957 |
| Matt BUSBY | Football manager | 6 January 1958 |
| Minnie BARNARD | Actress and theatrical dresser | 13 January 1958 |
| Gordon STEELE | Naval officer | 20 January 1958 |
| Louie RAMSAY | Actress | 27 January 1958 |
| Tubby CLAYTON | Anglican cleryman and founder of Toc H | 3 February 1958 |
| Daniel ANGEL | Film producer | 10 February 1958 |
| Anna NEAGLE | Actress | 17 February 1958 |
| 'Dapper' CHANNON | Retired schoolmaster | 24 February 1958 |
| Frederick STONE | Retired police constable | 3 March 1958 |
| Paul FIELD | Foster parent and founder of the CFT | 10 March 1958 |
| Noel PURCELL | Actor | 17 March 1958 |
| Barbara CARTLAND | Novelist | 24 March 1958 |
| Harry SECOMBE | Comedian, actor and singer | 31 March 1958 |
| Archie ROWE | Lifeboat coxswain | 14 April 1958 |
| Humphrey LYTTELTON | Jazz musician | 21 April 1958 |
| Francis CAMMAERTS | Headmaster and former SOE agent | 28 April 1958 |
| A E MATTHEWS | Actor | 5 May 1958 |
Broadcast details
BBC Television Service31 editions | 31 x 30 minutes
Monday | 7.30pm x 13 | 7.50pm x 1 | 8.15pm x 11 | 8.00pm x 1 | 8.45pm x 5
No edition broadcast on 7 April 1958 due to Easter Bank Holiday schedule
Production team
Devised by: Ralph EdwardsProducer: T Leslie Jackson | Director: Vere Lorrimer
Writers: Peter Moore, Ken Smith, Nigel Ward, Bill Wordsworth, Ray Marler, Bill Nolan, Michael Williams
Researchers: Nigel Ward, George Bruce, Ken Smith, Michael Friend, Ray Marler, Ronald Vivian, Michael Williams
Kathleen Andrews, Fred O'Donovan, Bill Nolan
Research Assistants: Nickola Sterne, Stanley Barnett, Christopher Hassall, Susan Franks, Raymond Mander, Joe Mitchenson
Music written by: James Turner | Orchestra conducted by: George Clouston, Eric Robinson
Animated captions: Alfred Wurmser