Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Gemma Craven, actress and singer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of actor Tom Conti and playwright Ray Cooney – in the foyer of Shaftesbury Theatre in London.

Gemma, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, but moved with her family to England in 1960, began her career as an Assistant Stage Manager at the Palace Theatre in Westcliff-on-Sea. Her big break came in 1976 when she was cast, as an unknown, as Cinderella in the film The Slipper and the Rose.

She combined a career in television, notably starring in the BBC adaptation of Dennis Potter’s Pennies From Heaven, with the theatre, winning an Olivier Award for her role in the musical They’re Playing Our Song.

"Where are the chocolates? Did you know about this?"

programme details...

• Edition No: 568
• Subject No: 564
• Broadcast date: Wed 4 Mar 1981
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Wed 18 Feb 1981
• Venue: Royalty Theatre
• Series: 21
• Edition: 21
• Code name: Slipper

on the guest list...

• Frazer Hines - fiance
• Terry Wogan
• Lillian - mother
• Gabriel - father
• Maureen Sharkey - godmother
• Phyllis Stapleton - aunt
• Nicky Dunn
• Barbara Quintarba
• Joyce Blair
• Ed Stewart
• Tony Kenny
• Diane Langton
• Father Paddy Craven - uncle
• Lydia McGowan
Filmed tributes:
• Val Doonican
• Alexandra McGurke
• Stella McGurke
• Paul McGurke

related appearance...

• Ernie Wise - Dec 1990

production team...

• Researcher: Cathy Parnall
• Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
• Directors: Stuart Hall, Terry Yarwood
• Producer: Jack Crawshaw

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

An Actor's Life For Me

spotlight on the stars

Family Life

keeping it in the family

This is the secret life

Jack Crawshaw reviews his time on This Is Your Life

Val Doonican

Frazer Hines

Terry Wogan

Screenshots of Gemma Craven This Is Your Life