Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Pat Coombs, actress, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while promoting a new series of the ITV sitcom You're Only Young Twice at a Top Rank bingo hall in Finsbury Park, north London.

Pat, who was born in London, trained at LAMDA after winning a scholarship at the age of 19. After recovering from a serious lung complaint, she found work in the post-war era of radio variety in shows such as Hello Playmates.

An appearance in an episode of the BBC television series Hancock's Half Hour in 1957 led to more television work, including a succession of long-running series in the 1970s, including sitcoms such as Beggar My Neighbour and You're Only Young Twice, which, in addition to her appearances in numerous game shows, made her a household name.

"It isn't! I'd have gone in a long frock if I'd known!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 479
• Subject No: 477
• Broadcast date: Wed 8 Feb 1978
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 18 Jan 1978
• Venue: Euston Road Studios
• Series: 18
• Edition: 12
• Code name: Bread

on the guest list...

• Graeme Muir
• Peggy Mount
• Lally Bowers
• Diana King
• Charmian May
• Peggy Ledger
• Georgina Moon
• Johnnie Wade
• Tony - brother
• Tom - father
• Phyllis - stepmother
• Sheila Hoblin
• Patrick Hoblin
• Irene Sutcliffe
• Freda Hobson
• Geoffrey Hazel
• Hester Hazel
• Irene Handl
• Reg Varney
• June Whitfield
• Peter Jones
• Pam - sister
Filmed tributes:
• Hugh Lloyd
• Rod Hull and Emu
• Billy Dainty
• Dick Emery
• Bob Monkhouse

related appearances...

• Reg Varney - May 1970
• June Whitfield - Apr 1976
• Bob Monkhouse - Feb 1982
• Diana Dors - Oct 1982
• Russell Grant - Feb 1985
• Ken Dodd - May 1990
• Lesley Joseph - Jan 1995
• June Whitfield - Mar 1995
• Graham Cole - Oct 1997
• The Night of 1000 Lives - Jan 2000

production team...

• Researchers: Maurice Leonard, Michael Ford
• Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
• Directors: Royston Mayoh, Terry Yarwood
• Producer: Jack Crawshaw

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

The Good Life

the sitcom stars

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Rod Hull

Bob Monkhouse

Reg Varney

June Whitfield

Screenshots of Pat Coombs This Is Your Life