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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Len Vale-Onslow, motorcycle manufacturer and enthusiast, was surprised by Michael Aspel during a photo shoot arranged to officially open the International Motorcycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Len, who was born in Sutton Coldfield and trained as a mechanic, developed a lifelong love affair with the motorcycle after learning to ride at the age of eight. He designed and manufactured the Super Onslow Special, one of Britain's best-loved motorcycles during the 1920s and 1930s. As his business grew, he became a star of motorcycle sport, trying his hand at speedway and motor cross events all over Britain and winning over 500 trophies and medals.

Over the years, his shop in Sparkbrook, south-east Birmingham, became a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts. He was officially recognised by the Department of Employment as Britain's oldest working man - still working eight hours a day as he approached his 100th birthday.

"I didn't expect this!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 1034
• Subject No: 1009
• Broadcast date: Mon 20 Dec 1999
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Thu 4 Nov 1999
• Venue: Central Television, Nottingham
• Series: 40
• Edition: 9
• Code name: Biker

on the guest list...

• Jean - daughter
• Len Jr - son
• Peter - son
• Dean - grandson
• Nicola - granddaughter
• Lyn - granddaughter
• Sue - granddaughter
• Emma - granddaughter
• Jenny - granddaughter
• William - grandson
• Geoff Duke
• Titch Allen
• Norman Palmer
• Bill Evans
• Olga Kevelos
• Sammy Miller
• Bernard Mouser
• Malcolm Woolley
• Ann Widdecombe
• Richard Chiltern
• Stefan - great-grandson
• Alexander - great-grandson
• Francesca - great-granddaughter
• Jonathan - great-grandson
• Jamie - great-grandson
• Donna - daughter-in-law
• Olivia - great-granddaughter
Filmed tributes:
• Carl Fogarty
• Lord Montagu of Beaulieu
• Sir Richard Knowles
• Kamel Yaffi

related appearance...

• The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000

production team...

• Researcher: Jo Grant
• Writer: Joe Steeples
• Director: John Gorman
• Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
• Executive Producer: John Longley
• Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
• Producer: Sue Green

Life at Full Throttle

the lovers of speed

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Screenshots of Len Vale-Onslow This Is Your Life