This Is Your Life: Brian Jacks

Brian JACKS (1946-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Brian Jacks, judoka, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while preparing a demonstration for an upcoming television show with the actor Brian Blessed at the Judo Society headquarters in London.

Brian, who was born in London, studied judo in Tokyo as a teenager for two years, returning to the UK in 1963 as a black belt. He won Britian's first medal for judo at a World Championship taking a bronze in Salt Lake City in 1967 and gained a second bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Brian achieved national fame as one of the most successful competitors on the BBC television programme Superstars, a sports competition that pitted elite athletes from different sports against one another in a series of athletic events which resembled a decathlon.

"Oh christ! I don't believe it! I'll kill my manager!"

programme details...

Edition No: 562
Subject No: 558
Broadcast date: Wed 21 Jan 1981
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Mon 22 Dec 1980
Venue: Royalty Theatre
Series: 21
Edition: 15
Code name: Lad

on the guest list...

Brian Blessed
Mike Hazelwood
Tim Crooks
Steve Assinder
Dave Boy Green
Julie - wife
Albert - father
Lillian - mother
Barbara - sister
Shane - brother
Alf - uncle
Eileen - aunt
Roy - uncle
Helen - aunt
Bill - uncle
Ivy - aunt
Ted - uncle
Esther - aunt
George - uncle
Nell - aunt
Florrie - aunt
Charles - uncle
Sid - uncle
Catherine - aunt
Ron - uncle
Doreen - aunt
Len - uncle
Doris - aunt
Harry - uncle
Vera - aunt
Ron - uncle
Doreen - aunt
Don Pope
Bobby Boulton
Ken Callaghan
Tony Sweeney
Alan Petherbridge
Sydney Hoare
Eddie Mullen
Bobby Sullivan
Keith Remfry
Dave Starbrook
Angelo Parisi
Tony Orton
Tiny Wilson
Philip - son

production team...

Researcher: Robin Ellis-Bextor
Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Directors: Stuart Hall, Terry Yarwood
Producer: Jack Crawshaw

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Going for Gold

celebrating the world's best

The Night of 1000 Lives

a celebration of a thousand editions

Screenshots of Brian Jacks This Is Your Life

Brian Jacks recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in his autobiography, The Mindset of a Champion...

A few weeks after the United Kingdom Challenge of Champions had been screened, I appeared on another television show that had been recorded on the 22nd of December 1980 and not one that I'd prepared for. The previous day I'd attended a wedding celebration where most of my family were present. I actually had a slight cold so Julie and I left quite early. The following day I had an appointment with British film actor Brian Blessed at the London Judo Society club. Brian, who'd recently starred as Prince Vultan in the 'Flash Gordon' film directed by Mike Hodges, said he had to prepare for a movie called 'High Road to China.' He said this one included fight scenes and he needed to learn a few new moves. I'd known Brian since my days at Joe and Doug Robinsons judo club so I thought nothing strange about his request.

We met on time and were soon on the mat grappling with each other. I knew he would be tough and I'd prepared for a robust workout but I didn't get one. After about two minutes the doors opened and the dojo filled with fifteen kids from my judo club all dressed in their kit. A few seconds later another face appeared in amongst the sea of faces. This one, slightly older than my kids, belonged to legendary television presenter Eamonn Andrews. Eamonn had his big red book and the This Is Your Life team had caught up with me. I couldn't believe it. I had absolutely no idea. It was a total shock. The show seemed to fly by and many times I felt myself welling up. Brian Blessed made a nice comment when he explained how we met, in the early sixties, when he played the character Fancy Smith in award winning television series Z Cars. Brian said:

We first met at the Judokwai Judo Club in Orange Street and Brian was a fantastic teacher. He was a constant inspiration to us all. I think the marvelous thing about Brian is that he does so much wonderful work for young children in judo and elsewhere and I think this is so important today and it's a great privilege to be with him on this programme now.

I felt very honoured to have Brian Blessed on the programme as well and of course all my family. Especially Mum and Dad who'd supported me so much and made so many sacrifices as I followed my dream. They were absolutely spectacular and I think most of the people who'd followed Superstars knew who they were now as they were always at the events, as they were with judo, but with Superstars David Vine and Ron Pickering mentioned them many times when the cameras picked them up in the background. Several other people appeared on the show and I can't mention them all. A few were missing, who I think played big parts in my life, and I would have loved for them to have been on. Chris Metas is one name who springs to mind but there were many others. Right at the end of the show one person made what I think could have been his first television appearance, dressed in his judo kit. I think he could have actually stolen the show. I welled up again. Philip, my son, at just over one year old. How could he steal my show! Keith Fielding had just knocked me off my British Superstars perch and now Philip had stolen my thunder. I gave him a good talking to later!

Series 21 subjects