Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Barbara Dickson, singer and actress, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a party promoting her latest stage show, The Seven Ages of Woman, at the Groucho Club in London.

Barbara, who was born in Fife, first started performing in local folk clubs while working for the civil service. An appearance at the Liverpool Everyman in 1974 in Willy Russell's musical John, Paul, Ringo... and Bert led to a recording contract. The title track of her first album, Answer Me, became a Top 10 hit in 1976.

In 1982, her leading role in Willy Russell's new musical Blood Brothers achieved critical acclaim, and she was named Actress of the Year in a Musical by the Society of West End Theatres in 1984. In the same year, her duet with Elaine Page, I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess, became a worldwide hit. On television during the 1990s, Barbara appeared in various dramas, including Taggart and Band of Gold.

"I'm gobsmacked!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 1005
• Subject No: 980
• Broadcast date: Mon 12 Oct 1998
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Mon 14 Sep 1998
• Venue: unknown
• Series: 39
• Edition: 6
• Code name: Band

on the guest list...

• Oliver - husband
• Colm - son
• Gabriel - son
• Archie - son
• Elaine Paige
• Geraldine James
• Ruth - mother
• Sue - cousin
• Sylvia - cousin
• Alastair - brother
• Kathleen - sister-in-law
• Liam - nephew
• Neve - niece
• Sandy Saddler
• Jack Beck
• Archie Fisher
• Rab Noakes
• John Watt
• Bernard Theobald
• George Costigan
• Robin Hooper
• Dave Lee Travis
• Willy Russell
Filmed tributes:
• Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Lily Savage
• Tim Rice

related appearances...

• Carl Davis - Oct 1986
• Kay Mellor - Mar 2000

production team...

• Researcher: Jo Grant
• Writer: Ian Brown
• Directors: John Gorman, Peter Wisdom
• 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

Life is a Cabaret

a musical theatre chorus line

Andrew Lloyd Webber

Dave Lee Travis

Screenshots of Barbara Dickson This Is Your Life