Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Robert Dougall, broadcaster, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews during a party to celebrate the launch of his new book at the Europa Hotel in London.

Robert, who was born in South Croydon, worked as a junior clerk in a city of London firm of accountants before joining the BBC in 1933. He became the corporation's youngest radio announcer at the age of 21, broadcasting with the BBC Empire Service. By 1941, he was a radio newsreader and a roving reporter.

After serving with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, Robert rejoined the BBC as an announcer and newsreader for the BBC Home Service. In 1951, he joined BBC Television's first full-time team of newsreaders and, in 1970, became the first person to present the BBC Nine O'Clock News, continuing in that role until his retirement in 1973.

"This is fantastic! Eamonn! I haven't seen you for years! Well, I can't escape now!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 367
• Subject No: 368
• Broadcast live: Wed 2 Jan 1974
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Repeated: Wed 12 Jun 1974 7.00pm
• Venue: Euston Road Studios
• Series: 14
• Edition: 7

on the guest list...

• Richard Baker
• Kenneth Kendall
• John Edmunds
• Leonard Parkin
• Ivor Mills
• Gordon Honeycombe
• Robert Southgate
• Nan - wife
• Michelle - stepdaughter
• Alastair - son
• Jimmy Savile
• Dennis Mealboom
• Norman Shelley
• David Chance
• Alvar Lidell
• Frank Phillips
• John Snagge
• Lord Simon
• Norbert Okare
• Harold Hazzard
• Benjamin - grandson
Filmed tributes:
• Peter Cook
• Dudley Moore
• Ethel Polly

related appearances...

• Bill Owen - Jan 1981
• Angela Rippon - Nov 1981
• Cliff Michelmore and Jean Metcalfe - Dec 1986
• Lord Brabourne - Oct 1990

production team...

• Researcher: Vincent Stafford
• Writer: Jack Crawshaw
• Director: Peter Webb
• Producer: Malcolm Morris

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

News At Ten

reporting the news

Dudley Moore

Jimmy Savile

Screenshots of Robert Dougall This Is Your Life