Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

• HOME
• |
• SERIES
• |
• SUBJECTS
• |
• FEATURES
• |
• ARTICLES
• |
• INTERVIEWS
• |
• ABOUT

THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Charles Dance, actor, was surprised by Michael Aspel at the Groucho Club in Soho following a performance of the play Long Day's Journey Into Night at the Lyric Theatre in London.

Charles, who was born in Redditch and grew up in Plymouth, studied graphic design and photography at Leicester College of Arts before developing a passion for acting. He made his professional stage debut in repertory theatre in Colwyn Bay before joining the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 1975.

After several appearances on television in small parts, he got his big break in 1984 when he was cast in a leading role in the ITV adaptation of The Jewel in the Crown. This led to more leading roles in television and films, including Plenty, The Golden Child, White Mischief, Alien 3 and Hilary and Jackie.

"Are you serious? Christ Almighty! Are you a member here?"

programme details...

• Edition No: 1067
• Subject No: 1042
• Broadcast date: Wed 28 Feb 2001
• Broadcast time: 8.00-8.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 21 Feb 2001
• Repeated: Sun 29 Jul 2001 7.30pm
• Venue: BBC Television Centre
• Series: 41
• Edition: 14
• Code name: Jig

on the guest list...

• Celia Imrie
• Marti Webb
• Hazel O'Connor
• Sophia Myles
• Stephen Whittaker
• Paul Nicholls
• Paul Rudd
• Olivia Colman
• Jo - wife
• Becky - daughter
• Ollie - son
• George Baker
• Christopher Morahan
• Geraldine James
• Susan Woolridge
• Tim Pigott-Smith
• Michael - brother
• Melvin deBode
• Henry Grzeskowiak
• Ron Curtain
• Steven Chase
• David Robb
• Nadim Sawalha
• Emilia Fox
• Felicity Dean
• Rachel Pickup
• Billy McBain
• Seporah Ungalaq
Filmed tributes:
• Nigel Hawthorne
• Leslie Phillips

related appearances...

• George Baker - Apr 1995
• Nadim Sawalha - Dec 1997

production team...

• Researcher: Sally Millson
• Writer: Ian Brown
• Director: John Gorman
• Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
• Executive Producer: John Longley
• Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
• Producer: Sue Green

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

An Actor's Life For Me

spotlight on the stars

George Baker

Nadim Sawalha

Screenshots of Charles Dance This Is Your Life

Somerset County Gazette 16 March 2001

CHARLES Dance, who lives on the Blackdown Hills, was the subject of the BBC's This is Your Life programme.

Friends and family, including his brother, joined co-stars to look back at his long and successful acting career.

Guests of presenter Michael Aspel, a Somerset wartime evacuee, included Tim Piggott-Smith, Celia Imrie, Emilia Fox and Hazel O'Connor.