This Is Your Life: Arthur Askey 2

Arthur ASKEY OBE (1900-1982)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Arthur Askey, comedian and actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios, having been led to believe he was there to record a programme discussing the history of pantomime with fellow comedians Jimmy Tarbuck and Ted Ray.

Arthur, who began his professional career as a music hall entertainer in 1924, rose to stardom in 1938 in BBC Radio's first regular comedy series, Band Waggon. As one of Britain's most popular comedy performers, he appeared in several films during the Second World War and became one of the first regular performers on early BBC television, securing his own series in 1952, named after his catchphrase, Before Your Very Eyes!

Appearing regularly in summer seasons and pantomime, Arthur also made numerous recordings, including The Bee Song, which was part of his act for many years. He appeared frequently on television in the 1970s, notably on the BBC's music hall programme The Good Old Days and as a panellist on the ITV talent show New Faces.

Arthur Askey was a subject of This Is Your Life on two occasions – previously surprised by Eamonn Andrews in September 1959 outside the BBC Television Theatre.

"Did you know?"

programme details...

Edition No: 395
Subject No: second timer
Broadcast date: Wed 25 Dec 1974
Broadcast time: 7.15-7.50pm
Recorded: Wed 11 Dec 1974
Venue: Euston Road Studios
Series: 15
Edition: 8
Code name: Eyes

on the guest list...

Ted Ray
Jimmy Tarbuck
Dickie Henderson
Rene - sister
Anthea - daughter
Bill Stewart - son-in-law
Sabrina
Jack Warner
Richard Murdoch - via telephone
David Nixon
Val Doonican
June Whitfield
Jimmy Jewel
Kathleen Harrison
Jimmy Logan
Barbara Mullen
Cyril Fletcher
Norman Vaughan
Alan Melville
McDonald Hobley
Peter Butterworth
Charlie Chester
Charlie Drake
Gracie Fields
Jane - granddaughter
Andrew - grandson
William - grandson
Ken Dodd
Frank Ball

production team...

Researchers: Frank Hayes, Debbie Gaunt
Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Director: Robert Reed
Producer: Jack Crawshaw

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Arthur Askey

first tribute

It's a Funny Old Life

it's all about the comedy

Life Second Time Around

surprised again!

Surprise flies supersonic

TV Times photo feature

Eamonn's surprising disguises

TV Times feature on some bizarre outfits

Screenshots of Arthur Askey This Is Your Life

Arthur Askey recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in his autobiography, Before Your Very Eyes...

I would not put my (first) This Is Your Life show among the top twenty. But sixteen years later... It is now December 1974. I am asked to do a TV discussion show, talking about pantomime with Ted Ray and Jimmy Tarbuck.

We were surrounded by pantomime animals - the cow, the cat, etc. - and the fairy, when suddenly 'Humpty Dumpty' waddles on and throws back the top of the egg. Out pops Eamonn, book in hand, and says (giving an impression of Mike Yarwood), 'Arthur Askey - for the second time, this is your life.'

What a star-studded cast I had this time: darling Gracie Fields who had flown in from Capri, Sabrina who had travelled from Hollywood, Val Doonican, Jack Warner, June Whitfield, Dickie Henderson, David Nixon, Kathleen Harrison, Norman Vaughan, Jimmy Jewel, MacDonald Hobley, Barbara Mullen, Cyril Fletcher, Charlie Drake, Peter Butterworth, Jimmy Logan, and Charlie Chester!

Dickie Murdoch was again in South Africa so had to appear on film [Bigredbook.info editor: Richard Murdoch's contribution was via telephone], as did Ken Dodd, who spoke from a classroom at the Liverpool Institute.

They also unearthed one of my old colleagues from the Education Offices - Frank Ball, now happily retired, as I would have been had I followed Father's advice.

And, of course, Anthea appeared with Bill, her husband, and my three darling grandchildren - and, naturally, my sister Rene.

All in all, it was a marvelous thrill for me, only marred by the fact that I could not stay for the orgy afterwards as I had to appear in cabaret at Bournemouth at 11 o'clock.

Sebastian Lassandro recalls this edition of This Is Your Life in his book, Pride Of Our Alley The Life of Dame Gracie Fields Volume II: 1939-1979...

Broadcast on December 25, Gracie was a guest on Arthur Askey's This Is Your Life, where she remembered her time spent with him and ENSA in Paris in April 1940.

Initially Arthur thought Gracie had recorded a tribute to him, but was visibly overjoyed when Eamonn Andrews introduced her as having "flown over especially from her home in Capri."

So excited was Gracie to see Arthur, she actually picked him up off the floor in a cuddle!

Series 15 subjects