Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
COCO - Nicolai POLIAKOFF (1900-1974)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Nicolai Poliakoff was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while appearing with the Bertram Mills circus at London's Olympia.
Born in Latvia, Nicolai was spotted by Mills while performing with Circus Busch in Berlin, and was persuaded to move to England.
He created the moniker of Coco, technically an auguste not a clown, and by the 1950s was probably the most famous clown in Britain.
This edition of This Is Your Life was broadcast from the BBC Television Theatre, where Coco greeted his guests on a set styled as a circus ring.
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Sheffield Star 26 April 1974
Coco came to town with the Robert Brothers Circus with a special mission in mind. He wanted to trace the little girl who held a special place in his world of children.
The Star published the story on Monday telling of Coco’s visit to a 15-year-old girl in a city hospital, suffering from terrible burns. A few kind words from Coco and she pulled through.
GUEST OF HONOUR
Years after that, the girl re-appeared in Coco’s life when he was guest of honour on the TV show, “This Is Your Life.” But the two lost touch and he had almost given her up for lost.
She read Monday’s story, and immediate plans were made by The Star for yesterday’s re-union at the circus in Hillsborough Park.
Now Carol Antcliff, of Jermyn Crescent, Hackenthorpe, has three children of her own, Paul, aged eight, Cheryl, six and David, four.
They were there to enjoy a private spot of clowning before being treated to ringside seats at the show.
He’s a wonderful man,” she said. “He really did help me get well. We used to write to one another, but I lost his address when we moved from our last house.”
Series 7 subjects
Max Bygraves | Mario Borrelli | Alastair Pearson | Brian Rix | Derek Dooley | Elizabeth Twistington Higgins | Sandy MacPherson