East End Life
This Is Your Life East End Life feature
Barbara Windsor This Is Your Life Barbara Windsor This Is Your Life Barbara WINDSOR
Peggy Mitchell 30 September 1992

Several years before her soap debut, Barbara was surprised by Michael while performing at the Theatre Royal, Windsor, where the show was then recorded.
Among the many guests who appear to pay tribute to Barbara are actors Jack Smethurst and Denis Quilley, writer and composer Lionel Bart, and entertainer Danny La Rue.

     
     
Mike Reid This Is Your Life Mike Reid This Is Your Life Mike REID
Frank Butcher 16 November 1994

The comedian turned actor was currently on extended leave from the soap when Michael surprised him at the end of a comedy gig at the Lakeside Country Club in Surrey.
The cast of Eastenders - led by Barbara Windsor - boxer Nosher Powell and comedian Frank Carson are among those paying tribute.

     
     
Gretchen Franklin This Is Your Life Gretchen Franklin This Is Your Life Gretchen FRANKLIN
Ethel Skinner 25 January 1995

Michael's first visit to the set of Eastenders was to surprise the veteran actress while filming a scene in the Queen Vic. Born into a theatrical family, Gretchen spent almost her whole life in showbusiness, including a stint as a Tiller Girl at the London Palladium.
A lively tribute includes guests Frank Thornton and her cousin, the actor Clive Dunn.

     
     
Pam St Clement This Is Your Life Pam St Clement This Is Your Life Pam ST CLEMENT
Pat Wicks 20 September 1995

Pat was surprised by Michael while filming a scene in the Walford market. Having worked extensively on stage since the early 1970s, Pat became a regular cast member in 1986.
Tributes were paid by politician and former actress Glenda Jackson, entertainer Lily Savage and actor Ian McKellan.

     
     
Ross Kemp This Is Your Life Ross Kemp This Is Your Life Ross KEMP
Grant Mitchell 3 February 1997

Michael sneaked behind the bar of the Queen Vic to surprise the actor who became the show's resident hardman. Ross joined the soap in 1990 and quickly established himself as a popular character, winning several acting awards during the decade.
The tribute includes filmed tributes from Brentford Rugby team and footballer Paul Gascoigne.

     
     
Martin Kemp This Is Your Life Martin Kemp This Is Your Life Martin KEMP
Steve Owen 13 November 1999

The actor and former member of the 1980s New Romantic pop group Spandau Ballet, was surprised by Michael in the Queen Vic on the set of Eastenders, and was treated to an extra edition which was broadcast during a prime slot on a Saturday evening.
Martin's guests include singers Bob Geldof and George Michael.

     
     
Rudolph Walker This Is Your Life Rudolph Walker This Is Your Life Rudolph WALKER
Patrick Trueman 22 November 1999

Two years before he joined Eastenders, Rudolph was surprised on his 60th birthday when Michael caught him out at Lord's Cricket Ground.
Perhaps best remembered for the 1970s ITV sitcom Love Thy Neighbour, Rudolph was reunited with his co-stars from that show. Other guests include cricketer Clive Lloyd and musician Eddy Grant.

     
     
Todd Carty This Is Your Life Todd Carty This Is Your Life Todd CARTY
Mark Fowler 16 November 2000

Michael interrupted a night shoot in Albert Square to surprise Todd - a regular with the soap since 1990.
Known previously to millions of viewers as Tucker Jenkins in the BBC children's television series Grange Hill, Todd was reunited with his colleagues from that programme. Also appearing, on film, were comedians Harry Hill and Norman Wisdom.

     
     
Shaun Williamson This Is Your Life Shaun Williamson This Is Your Life Shaun WILLIAMSON
Barry Evans 24 October 2001

Michael returned to the Queen Vic to surprise the former Pontins Bluecoat performer, who made the move from holiday camp to Albert Square, to become one of television's best loved losers - playing the hapless Barry since 1994.
Guests include disc jockey Tony Blackburn and on film, presenter Dale Winton.

     
     
Anita Dobson This Is Your Life Anita Dobson This Is Your Life Anita DOBSON
Angie Watts 20 March 2002

Anita was surprised by Michael while filming at London's Heathrow Airport, before being whisked away to the BBC Television Centre, where she was reunited with her television soap colleagues some 14 years after leaving EastEnders.
Anita's other guests include actors Lesley Joseph and Griff Rhys Jones and singer Elaine Paige.

     
     
Gillian Taylforth This Is Your Life Gillian Taylforth This Is Your Life Gillian TAYLFORTH
Kathy Beale 16 January 2003

Michael surprised the actress while filming on location for the ITV drama series Footballers' Wives. Like Anita - who is a guest on her show - Gillian had appeared in the very first episode of EastEnders in 1985, but had left the series in 2000.
Actor Christopher Biggins and singer and actor Adam Faith are among those on the guest list.

     
     
John Bardon This Is Your Life John Bardon This Is Your Life John BARDON
Jim Branning 5 June 2003

Michael paid his final visit to Walford in order to surprise the Olivier award winning actor who had first appeared in the soap in 1996, but became a regular character in 1999.
Among those paying tribute to John - who turned professional at the age of 30 after several years working with an amateur drama group - are actor John Nettles and comedian Jim Davidson.