Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Sydney MacEwan, priest and singer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in an unknown location.

Sydney, who was born and raised in Glasgow, studied at Glasgow University, where he was encouraged by writer Compton Mackenzie to become a professional singer. Having moved to London in the early 1930s, he made several recordings for Parlophone, undertook two successful world tours, and by 1938, had become a star on the international circuit of concert halls performing traditional Scottish and Irish songs.

Despite his fame and success, Sydney followed his vocation to become a priest and began training at the outbreak of the Second World War. He was ordained in June 1944 and, having become parish priest at St Margaret's Church in Lochgilphead, Argyll, he later relaunched his singing career, recording and touring to raise funds for the Church.

programme details...

• Edition No: 198
• Subject No: 199
• Broadcast date: Tue 16 Oct 1962
• Broadcast time: 7.55-8.25pm
• Recorded: Mon 17 Sep 1962 8.30pm
• Venue: BBC Television Theatre
• Series: 8
• Edition: 3

on the guest list...

• Eric Robinson
• Harold - brother
• Roger MacDougall
• Sheila MacNeill
• Mary Stewart
• Francis Boyne
• John MacPherson
• Sgt Michael O'Flynn
• Peter Ciarella
• Elizabeth Boyle
• Robert Wilson
• Jennie - mother
Filmed tribute:
• Lily McCormack

production team...

• Director: Vere Lorrimer
• Producer: T Leslie Jackson

Life's Vocation

celebrating the 'men of God'

Photographs of Sydney MacEwan This Is Your Life