Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
The penultimate series of This Is Your Life faced some unexpected challenges, not least more changes to its transmission times and broadcast days, which perhaps indicated that the programme's assured place in the schedules was at risk.
The production team faced a unique challenge during the series when they had to break their historic protocol of not revealing the identity of guests to the subject before the recording. This was due to an ultimatum issued by a songwriter, record producer, and conservationist who threatened not to take part after being surprised on 11 September 2001 - the day now referred to as 9/11.
Not since 1974 had a subject knowingly refused to accept the Big Red Book when, in a heart-stopping moment in this series, a comedian, actor, and presenter initially said no when surprised by Michael Aspel - although his family eventually persuaded him to go ahead with the planned tribute!
The only set of twins to appear on This Is Your Life as a pair of subjects were featured in this series when the physicians and cancer specialists were surprised at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey.
related pages...
Michael WINNER | Film director | 17 October 2001 |
Shaun WILLIAMSON | Actor | 24 October 2001 |
Paddy ASHDOWN | Politician and diplomat | 31 October 2001 |
Tim SMIT | Songwriter, record producer and conservationist | 8 November 2001 |
Babs POWELL | Charity fundraiser and former dancer | 15 November 2001 |
Saeed JAFFREY | Actor | 22 November 2001 |
Paul YOUNG | Singer, songwriter and musician | 5 December 2001 |
Julian CLARY | Comedian, actor and presenter | 28 December 2001 |
Jonah LOMU | Rugby union player | 11 January 2002 |
Rosemary CONLEY | Businesswoman, author and broadcaster | 18 January 2002 |
Ian WOOSNAM | Golfer | 25 January 2002 |
Bill ODDIE | Comedian, actor and presenter | 31 January 2002 |
Fern BRITTON | Television presenter | 7 February 2002 |
Nick ROSS | Broadcaster and journalist | 14 February 2002 |
Ray and Trevor POWLES | Physicians and cancer specialists | 20 February 2002 |
Stephanie COOK | Pentathlete and doctor | 28 February 2002 |
Ian LAVENDER | Actor | 7 March 2002 |
Jenny SEAGROVE | Actress | 14 March 2002 |
Anita DOBSON | Actress and singer | 20 March 2002 |
Henry SANDON | Antique expert and television personality | 3 April 2002 |
Linda BARKER | Interior designer and television presenter | 10 April 2002 |
Brigit FORSYTH | Actress | 24 April 2002 |
Christina NOBLE | Charity founder | 2 May 2002 |
Claire SWEENEY | Actress and singer | 8 May 2002 |
Lloyd SCOTT | Charity fundraiser and former goalkeeper | 15 May 2002 |
Julian FELLOWES | Actor and screenwriter | 23 May 2002 |
Broadcast details
Thames Television production for BBCProduction team
In association with Ralph Edwards Productions And TIYL Productions