Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
Bob MONKHOUSE OBE (1928-2003)
- The final extended edition produced by Thames Television
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Bob Monkhouse, comedian and entertainer, was surprised by Michael Aspel during an interview at the BBC Television Centre.
Bob began his career as a comedy writer providing scripts for radio in partnership with fellow writer Denis Goodwin. The scriptwriting duo also performed as a double act before Bob established a successful solo career as a stand-up comedian. He became familiar to television viewers in the 1960s and 1970s, hosting the popular ITV quiz shows The Golden Shot and Celebrity Squares.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Bob presented several television quiz shows, such as Family Fortunes and Bob's Full House, and a revival of the talent show Opportunity Knocks. He also had his own BBC chat show, showcasing new comedians and interviewing some of his comedy heroes.
This edition was billed in the Radio Times as a 'This Is Your Life Special', and such was the breadth of Bob's story, two big red books were needed - the second one delivered midway through the show by comedian Joe Pasquale.
Bob Monkhouse was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions – previously surprised by Eamonn Andrews in February 1982 on St Martin's Lane in central London.
"Oh Michael, how wonderful. I'm thrilled to pieces!"
programme details...
- Edition No: 1118
- Subject No: second timer
- Broadcast date: Wed 23 Apr 2003
- Broadcast time: 8.00-9.00pm
- Recorded: Sat 15 Mar 2003 4.30pm
- Venue: BBC Television Centre
- Series: 43
- Edition: 13
- Code name: Beamer
on the guest list...
- Syd Little
- Eddie Large
- Tom O'Connor
- Katie Boyle
- Anita Harris
- Jeremy Beadle
- Barry Cryer
- George Layton
- Jackie - wife
- Abigail - daughter
- Mark - son-in-law
- Megan - granddaughter
- Poppy - granddaughter
- Peter Prichard
- Johnny Vegas
- Stan Tracey
- Dabber Davis
- Suki Moore
- Jeremy Goodwin
- James Moir
- Joe Pasquale
- Denis Quilley
- Mike Yarwood
- Sue Nicholls
- Jim Bowen
- Les Dennis
- Frank Skinner
- message from Bob Hope
- June Whitfield Filmed tributes:
- Peter Kay
- Terry Wogan
- Jasper Carrott
- Des O'Connor
- Jimmy Tarbuck
- Michael Grade
- Cliff Richard
- Ken Dodd
- Phill Jupitus
related appearances...
- Charlie Drake - Dec 1961
- Moira Lister - Feb 1971
- Jackie Pallo - Apr 1973
- Ronnie Dukes - Nov 1975
- June Whitfield - Apr 1976
- Ivy Benson - Dec 1976
- Pat Coombs - Feb 1978
- Richard Murdoch - May 1978
- Nyree Dawn Porter - Feb 1980
- Lord Brabourne - Oct 1990
- Jeremy Beadle - Jan 1994
- June Whitfield - Mar 1995
- Bob and Dolores Hope - Dec 1995
- Steve Redgrave - Sep 1996
- Russ Abbot - Sep 1997
- The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000
production team...
- Researcher: Kate Greer
- Writer: Ian Brown
- Director: unknown
- Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
- Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
- Producer: Sue Green
- names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life
first tribute
it's all about the comedy
surprised again!
the special editions
a celebration of a thousand editions
the show's fifty year history
the programme's icon
TV Mirror reports on the presenter's popularity
Screenshots of Bob Monkhouse This Is Your Life
Series 43 subjects
David Dickinson | Mo Mowlam | Gillian Taylforth | Mike Rutherford | John McArdle | Elmer Bernstein | Charles CollingwoodJonathan Davies | Elizabeth Pescops | George Best | Lisa Maxwell | Roger Cook | Bob Monkhouse | Nicholas Winton
Anthony Andrews | Alex Norton | John Bardon | Simon Cowell | Alec Stewart | Vic Armstrong | Chris Bonington
John Middleton | Bob Harris | Gyles Brandreth | Aled Jones