Ted RAY (1905-1977)
first tribute
The definitive list of 42 people who have been surprised more than once!
It's all about the comedy
TVTimes editorial with quotes from former subjects
TVTimes photo feature
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ted Ray, comedian, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the doorstep of his Southgate home.
Ted began his career in music hall, and would become well known through his long running weekly BBC radio show Ray’s A Laugh, which ran from 1949 until 1961.
He also appeared in several British comedy films, notably Carry On Teacher, and various television programmes including the popular ITV comedy panel show Joker’s Wild.
Ted was previously honoured by This Is Your Life in 1955.
“Eamonn – you rotten so-and-so!”
Ted's grandson Mark Olden recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in an exclusive interview recorded in April 2013
Photographs of Ted Ray This Is Your Life
Eamonn was to say that he got an even bigger kick surprising subjects for a second time. It was true in the case of Ted Ray. He had first presented him with the red book in the fifties, but only just, for the comedian had been delayed for six minutes getting to the theatre, which meant that Eamonn had to keep the audience in chat. 'I was never more happy in my life to see anybody than when Ted finally walked into the theatre.'
On the second occasion there was no such agonising wait. Ted was appearing in a television programme in Birmingham when his wife called him to come to London the next day to ‘meet someone important'. The VIP turned out to be Eamonn. Ted's reaction was swift: ‘Not again, Eamonn!'
programme details...
- Edition No: 404
- Subject No: second timer
- Broadcast date: Wed 26 Feb 1975
- Broadcast time: 7-7.30pm
- Recorded: Wed 19 Feb 1975
- Venue: Euston Road Studios
- Series: 15
- Edition: 17
- Code Name: Beam
on the guest list...
- Sybil - wife
- Arthur Askey (live link)
- Dickie Henderson (live link)
- Robin Ray - son
- Susan Stranks - daughter-in-law
- Andrew Ray - son
- Lena Johnston - sister
- George Johnston – brother-in-law
- Ben Warriss
- Noele Gordon
- Diana Dors
- Patricia Hayes
- Ben Lyon
- Susan – daughter-in-law
- Madeleine – granddaughter
- Mark – grandson In audience:
- Joe Church
- David Nixon
- David Lodge
- Reg Varney
- Freddie Davies
- Cardew Robinson
- Ed Stewart
- The Bachelors
- Jean Kent
- Macdonald Hobley Filmed tributes:
- Jean Arthur - sister
- Jimmy Edwards
- Eric Sykes
- Bob Hope
related appearances...
- These Were Your Lives - May 1956
- Thora Hird - Jan 1964
- Reg Varney - May 1970
- Bob Hope - Nov 1970
- Dickie Henderson - Feb 1971
- Patricia Hayes - Apr 1972
- Noele Gordon - Feb 1973
- David Nixon - Dec 1973
- Arthur Askey - Dec 1974
production team...
- Director: Royston Mayoh
- Producer: Jack Crawshaw