11 March 1956

Eamonn surprised the novelist and campaigner at the BBC Television Theatre.
During the 1930s, Ida - who wrote romance novels under the name Mary Burchell - and her sister Louise, helped 29 Jewish families escape from Nazi-occupied Austria - an exercise which was funded mainly from the proceeds of her books.

10 December 1956

The writer, who was born into a well-known theatrical family, was surprised by Eamonn at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith.
Compton wrote history, biography, literary criticism, plays, children's stories and poetry, and of his 70 novels, is perhaps best known for the comedy Whiskey Galore.

24 March 1958

The novelist and prominent society figure was surprised by Eamonn in the audience at the BBC Television Theatre. Barbara - whose first novel Jigsaw was published in 1923 - was greeted by French boxer Georges Carpentier, among others. She would go on to write hundreds of novels and was honoured a second time by This Is Your Life in 1989.

7 April 1971

The writer - and great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens - was surprised by Eamonn during the programme's second series produced by Thames Television. Monica - who had recently published her first children's book, Follyfoot - was greeted by fellow writers Richard Gordon in the studio and Compton Mackenzie via a recorded message.

28 February 1974

In an infamous moment in the show's history, the Doctor in the House writer refused to participate when surprised by Eamonn at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios. The live broadcast was taken off air and replaced with a recorded show. Richard was later persuaded to go ahead with the tribute, and his edition was then recorded and broadcast the following week.

18 December 1974

The former steeplechase jockey, who became a writer and turned his knowledge of the horse racing world into a series of best-selling crime novels, was surprised by Eamonn while signing copies of his new book Knock Down in central London for a tribute which included jockey Gordon Richards and novelist Kingsley Amis among the guests.

17 May 1978

Eamonn surprised the novelist in London's Leicester Square, at the premiere of the film The Eagle Has Landed - an adaptation of his best selling novel written under the pseudonym of Jack Higgins.
Guests paying tribute include fellow author Leslie Thomas and actor Jack Douglas.

17 January 1979

The author - who was orphaned at the age of 12 and brought up in a Dr Barnado's home - was surprised by Eamonn at a Barnado's hostel in Kingston, Surrey.
Globe trotting journalist Alan Whicker and American screenwriter Carl Foreman are among those greeting Leslie, who is undoubtedly best known for his novel about 1950's National Service life – The Virgin Soldiers.

19 March 1980

The former journalist - who became a successful writer of romance fiction - was surprised by Eamonn while undertaking research for a new book by interviewing patrons of the King Stores pub in London's Bishopsgate.
Celebrated journalists Harold Evans and David Dimbleby appear on Jilly's tribute.

14 January 1981

The former Conservative MP for Louth was surprised by Eamonn - along with the Somerset county cricket team - while out jogging on London's embankment.
Elected in 1969, Jeffrey resigned in 1974 - a casualty of a fraudulent investments scheme. This led to his new career as a novelist, with the publication of Not A Penny More, Not a Penny Less.

22 December 1982

The widely read novelist - who retained a low profile in the world of celebrity writers - was thrust into the spotlight when Eamonn surprised her at the studios of Tyne Tees Television in Newcastle.
Her novels, set in the North East of England, are inspired by her deprived youth. Fellow Geordie, football manager Lawrie McMenemy is among the guests.

16 April 1986

The writer - who achieved fame late in life - was surprised by Eamonn on her way to a book signing in the Kingston branch of Bentalls department store.
Lena - who specialised in historic romantic fiction set in the East End of London, where she had lived all her life - was greeted by the captain of the QE2 Robert Arnott and fellow novelist Leslie Thomas.

13 December 1989

Michael surprised the prolific romantic novelist at the studios of Gainsborough Pictures during a photo session for the launch of a film adaptation of one of her novels.
Previously honoured by This Is Your Life in 1958, Barbara was greeted in this second tribute by, among others, Lady Pamela Hicks and actor John Mills.

3 January 1990

The jet-setting novelist was surprised by Michael as she disembarked from Concorde at Heathrow Airport.
Her first novel, A Woman of Substance, sold millions on both sides of the Atlantic, and was adapted into a television movie. Barbara and one of her guests, actress Lois Maxwell, literally get caught up when their jewellery becomes tangled in an embrace.

6 February 1991

Michael surprises the writer - perhaps best remembered for his novels, Hotel and Airport - during a mock interview scenario at Thames Television's Teddington Studios.
Among those paying tribute to the former journalist are Hollywood stars Kirk Douglas and Christopher Plummer.

24 March 1993

The production team travelled to Hollywood, so Michael could surprise the highly successful novelist at the glamorous Bel Age Hotel in Los Angeles, during a launch party for the video release of a television mini-series of her latest book, Lady Boss. Her sister, Joan Collins, sends a filmed message, while other guests include actors Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon.

11 January 1995

London's Science Museum was the inspired choice of venue for Michael to surprise the renowned science-fiction author and broadcaster.
Best known for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey, and as host of television's Mysterious World, Arthur received tributes from astronaut Buzz Aldrin and - via letter - reclusive film director Stanley Kubrick.

12 April 1995

In another highly appropriate choice of venue, Michael surprised the horror writer at the London Dungeon.
Actor Anthony Andrews - who appears in Haunted, the latest film adaptation of James's work - is among those greeting him in the studio, while American horror writer Stephen King sends his tribute via a filmed message.