5 January 1959

Eamonn interrupted a performance of the play Auntie Mame at London's Adelphi Theatre in order to surprise the actress and impersonator.
Among those paying tribute to Florence - who had recently come out of retirement for the production - are singer Vera Lynn and, via telephone, singer and actress Gracie Fields.

31 August 1959

For the first of her two tributes, Eamonn surprised the actress and singer - one of Britain's most popular stars of musical comedy - at the BBC Television Theatre.
The ballet dancer and choreographer Anton Dolin pays tribute in person, while comedian Sandy Powell sends his greeting on film.

26 March 1963

The star of numerous Edwardian musical comedies was surprised by Eamonn at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, during a curtain call for the musical My Fair Lady, in which she was appearing as Mrs Higgins.
Among those paying tribute to Zena - whose career spanned over six decades - are actresses Muriel Pavlow and Ellaline Terriss.

12 February 1975

Eamonn surprised the Canadian-born British tenor and actor, who appeared in a string of other romantic musicals - most famously as the Red Shadow in The Desert Song - and became a household name through appearances on television, such as Morecambe and Wise and The Good Old Days.

24 May 1978

For the first transatlantic edition of the programme, the team travel to New York where Eamonn surprises the British-born American songwriter and composer in Times Square - right at the heart of the Great White Way!
A star-studded show includes appearances from Carol Channing, Alice Faye and Stephen Sondheim.

31 January 1979

Elaine was surprised by Eamonn during the curtain call of Evita at London's Prince of Wales Theatre. The musical - just a few months into its original West End run - had made the then relatively unknown singer and actress into a star.
Among those paying tribute are actor Dustin Hoffman, and Evita's creators Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

26 November 1980

In the first of his two tributes, the musical theatre composer was surprised by Eamonn and the cast of his current hit show Evita, in the foyer of Thames Television's Euston Road Studios. Andrew has since revealed that it was during the recording of the tribute, at the New London Theatre, that he had the idea of using that venue as the home for his next show - Cats.

2 December 1981

Julia appeared in the 1976 West End revue Side by Side by Sondheim, and made her Broadway debut when the show transferred to New York a year later, receiving a Tony Award nomination for her performance.
Eamonn surprised her at the Royalty Theatre where she was greeted by her Side by Side co-stars Ned Sherrin, Millicent Martin and Lee Remick.

9 November 1983

Eamonn disguised himself as a Fiddler on the Roof cast member to surprise the musical star in London's Covent Garden. Topol was appearing in a revival of the show, having played the lead role of Tevye the milkman in the 1967 original West End production, as well as appearing in the film version.
His guests include the Hollywood star, Kirk Douglas.

26 December 1984

Eamonn surprised the talented actress and singer during an interview on comedian Jimmy Tarbuck's television show. Among the names paying tribute to Millicent - who appeared in the original Broadway production of Side by Side by Sondheim in 1977 - are Hollywood star Howard Keel and fellow musical theatre stars, Julia McKenzie and David Kernan.

6 November 1985

Elisabeth - who began her career as a professional singer in New York in 1922 - was surprised by Eamonn outside London's Palace Theatre, with the help of various jazz musicians.
Elisabeth - who has appeared in many West End shows and revues - is greeted by guests Adelaide Hall and Evelyn Laye and receives a message from Lena Horne.

29 January 1986

Eamonn surprised the former child star during a curtain call of the pantomime, Peter Pan at London's Aldwych Theatre.
A winner of the television talent show Opportunity Knocks, Bonnie is greeted by that show's host, Hughie Green, as well as, among others, Hollywood and Broadway star, June Havoc.

30 April 1986

Eamonn interrupted rehearsals for a new production of the musical, La Cage aux Folles, at the London Palladium, in order to surprise the celebrated dramatic actor - who had gained earlier musical theatre success with Privates on Parade and Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.
Guests include actors Peter Ustinov and Roddy McDowall.

1 November 1989

Sarah - well known for her roles in the West End musicals Cats and Phantom of the Opera - was surprised by Michael, and her former dance colleagues from Hot Gossip and Pans People, at RAF Wittering.
Among those paying tribute are film director Steven Spielberg, actor Michael Crawford and singer and musical theatre star, Michael Ball.

19 December 1990

When surprised by Michael at Croydon's Ashcroft Theatre in her 90th year, the actress - who made her stage debut in 1915 - announced 'It's lasted quite a long time!'. In this, her second tribute, 'Boo' - as she's known to her friends - is greeted by actors Dinah Sheridan and Michael Denison, while Michael reads out a message from HRH Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

20 March 1991

With no formal training in singing or acting, Dave's extraordinary rise to fame in West End musicals was revealed when Michael surprised him at London's Her Majesty's Theatre during a curtain call for the musical Phantom of the Opera - in which he plays the lead role. Andrew Lloyd Webber took time out from his honeymoon to send a recorded message.

3 April 1991

Lionel - best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for the hit musical Oliver! - was surprised by Michael at the National Youth Theatre on London's Holloway Road.
As a prolific songwriter Lionel had written hit songs for many singers, including two who greet him on his tribute - Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele.

16 October 1991

Paul - who started his career in pop music before moving into musical theatre - was surprised by Michael, during a curtain call for the musical Barnum at the Bristol Hippodrome.
The show, recorded at HTV Studios, includes appearances from actress Dora Bryan, dancer Wayne Sleep and singer Michael Ball.

2 December 1992

Michael interrupted another curtain call, this time at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham to surprise the star of Scrooge! Anthony was under the impression his co-star, Stratford Johns, was to be the subject.
The show, recorded at the venue, includes messages from ex-wife Joan Collins, Burt Bacharach and Petula Clark.

18 May 1994

The actor - closely associated with the role of Fagin in the hit musical Oliver!, having created the role for the original West End production in 1960, and nominated for an Academy Award in the 1968 film version - was surprised by Michael at London's Teleimagination Studios. Among those paying tribute are magician David Berglas and actor Oliver Reed.

20 July 1994

The versatile actress, singer and dancer was surprised by Michael during a mock interview at London's Prince of Wales Theatre. Among the guests greeting Pat - who originated roles in musicals written by Noel Coward and Cole Porter - are theatre director Wendy Toye and actresses June Whitfield and Patricia Hodge. This was the last This Is Your Life broadcast on ITV.

2 November 1994

And for the first This Is Your Life to be broadcast on BBC television since 1964, the team presented a special edition for the musical theatre composer's second tribute, complete with live performances of songs from several of his musicals.
Michael surprised Andrew at London's Aldelphi Theatre, the then home of his latest success, Sunset Boulevard.

13 December 1995

The actor, singer and star of several West End musicals - including Godspell, Tommy and Evita - was surprised by Michael at London's Royal Albert Hall during rehearsals for an ice ballet!
An eclectic guest list includes film producer David Puttnam, singer Adam Faith and footballer Frank Lampard, Sr.

6 March 1996

Having been caught on two previous occasions, Petula was surprised for a third time at London's Adelphi Theatre, where she was appearing as Norma Desmond in the hit Lloyd Webber musical Sunset Boulevard.
Michael updated her story and introduced guests which includes Peter Ustinov, Anthony Newley and Sian Philips.

15 November 1996

The lyricist - who has collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber to produce several hit musicals, including Aspects of Love and Sunset Boulevard - was surprised by Michael during the BMI Awards at London's Dorchester Hotel.
Among those paying tribute are singer Tom Jones and composers John Barry and Elmer Bernstein.

12 October 1998

Michael surprised the singer and actress - well known for her roles in the West End musicals Evita and Blood Brothers, in which she originated the role of Mrs Johnstone - at London's Groucho Club. Elaine Paige - with whom she had recorded the duet, I Know Him So Well - pays tribute, along with, among others, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice and Willy Russell.

7 June 2001

The lyricist of the musicals Starlight Express and Phantom of the Opera was surprised by Michael at the Orpheus Centre in Godstone, Surrey - a trust he established to provide performing arts experience to young people with disabilities. Richard - a regular performer on television - is greeted by former colleagues Valerie Singleton and Richard Whiteley.