This Is Your Life: Engelbert Humperdinck

Engelbert HUMPERDINCK (1936-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Engelbert Humperdinck, singer, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of family and friends - at a hotel in Kingston, south-west London, having been led to believe he was there for an interview about his 250 worldwide fan clubs.

Arnold George Dorsey, who was born in Madras, India, relocated with his family to Leicester after the Second World War. Following his national service in the mid-1950s and determined to become a singer, Arnold spent his evenings singing in working men's clubs while working for an engineering company.

After moving to London and releasing his first single, Crazy Bells, success was slow until his agent suggested a name change in 1965. As Engelbert Humperdinck, he had the first of a string of hit singles in 1967 with Release Me. A guest appearance on Dean Martin's American television programme led to international stardom and a residency in Las Vegas.

"Thank you. I can't believe this! Where's my wife?"

programme details...

Edition No: 744
Subject No: 737
Broadcast date: Wed 30 Nov 1988
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Thu 28 Sep 1988
Venue: Teddington Studios
Series: 29
Edition: 7
Code name: Name

on the guest list...

Pat - wife
Jason - son
Bradley - son
Bubbles - sister
Olga - sister
Bob Blevins
Tony Baldwin
Harry Morrel
Des O'Connor
Louise - daughter
Scott - son
Paul Anka
Juliet Prowse
Dinah Shore
Warner Ousra
Bea Heath
Jimmy Cassatino

production team...

Researcher: Tom Wettengel
Writer: Roy Bottomley
Directors: Brian Klein, David Clark
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

A Song For Life

it's the singer not the song

Behind the Scenes

the programme's best kept secrets

Just A Few Words Of Thanks

Michael Aspel's weekly TV Times column

Des O'Connor

Photographs and screenshots of Engelbert Humperdinck This Is Your Life

Mail Online 5 April 2014

My haven: Engelbert Humperdinck, the singing legend, 77, relaxes inside the pub he built at his Leicester home

By PAULA KERR

WHAT A NIGHT

It was great fun being caught with the red This Is Your Life book in 1988. My manager told me I had a business appointment, so I put on a suit and got in the car. Then I found myself at a TV studio, being greeted by Michael Aspel and my family. Being reunited with lots of wonderful friends and the songwriters who wrote my hits was magical. It was a very exciting night. Having all my brothers and sisters celebrate with me meant a great deal.

Series 29 subjects