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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Henry Sandon, antique expert and television personality, was surprised by Michael Aspel at Bonhams Auction House in London while talking to journalists about a unique collection of Minton pottery that was about to go on sale.

Henry, who was born in London and began his working life as an insurance clerk, had an early interest in choral music, which led to him singing with St Paul's Cathedral Choir. Following his National Service, he took singing lessons and later won a year's tuition with the Guildhall School of Music.

In 1953 he was employed as a bass in the choir of Worcester Cathedral, and it there that he developed an interest in pottery. By 1966 he had become the curator of the Royal Worcester Collection and a world expert on the porcelain brand. Having caught the attention of television producers, he became a household name through his regular appearances on the BBC television programme Antiques Roadshow.

"No! How did they work this?"

programme details...

• Edition No: 1099
• Subject No: 1075
• Broadcast date: Wed 3 Apr 2002
• Broadcast time: 8.25-8.55pm
• Recorded: Tue 19 Mar 2002
• Venue: Teddington Studios
• Series: 42
• Edition: 20
• Code name: Potty

on the guest list...

• David - son
• Peter - son
• John - son
• Barbara - wife
• Hugh Scully
• David Battie
• John Benjamin
• John Bly
• Simon Bull
• Roy Butler
• Bunny Campione
• Clive Farahar
• Eric Knowles
• Barbara Morris
• Ken Passie
• Diane-Louise Jordan
• Malcolm Nixon
• James Skerrett
• Dave Peplow
• Keith Bridges
• members of the Choir of Worcester Cathedral
• Richard Day Lewis
• Dick Barton
• Cyril Lunn
• Steven Cleverly
• Pam Rhodes
• Jilly Goolden
• Ann Savery
Filmed tributes:
• Edward Heath
• Angela Rippon

related appearance...

• Charles Collingwood - Feb 2003

production team...

• Researcher: Sue Scott
• Writer: Joe Steeples
• 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

Life As We Know It

highlighting the experts

Angela Rippon

Screenshots of Henry Sandon This Is Your Life