This Is Your Life: Jim Dale

Jim DALE (1935-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Jim Dale, actor, singer and songwriter, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of entertainer Des O'Connor - while appearing on stage at the London Palladium, from where the programme was then recorded.

Jim, who was born in Rothwell, Northamptonshire, was one of the youngest comedians in Britain before becoming a pop singer at the age of 22. He had success with several releases in the UK singles chart, including the number-two hit, Be My Girl, in 1957. He is best remembered as a songwriter for the 1966 film theme Georgy Girl, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

As an actor, he worked with the National Theatre Company from 1970 and made several films before becoming best known as a regular in the Carry On films, beginning with a small role in Carry On Cabby in 1963 to more substantial roles, such as in Carry On Cowboy in 1965 and Carry On Doctor in 1967.

programme details...

Edition No: 361
Subject No: 362
Broadcast date: Wed 21 Nov 1973
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Sun 18 Nov 1973
Venue: London Palladium
Series: 14
Edition: 1

on the guest list...

unknown

production team...

Researcher: unknown
Writer: unknown
Director: Royston Mayoh
Producer: Malcolm Morris

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related page...

An Actor's Life For Me

spotlight on the stars

TV Times article: Jim Dale This Is Your Life

TV Times 8 December 1973

PLAYBACK

LOOKS AT THE TV TOPICS THAT SET YOU TALKING

I HAD always been slightly cynical about This Is Your Life - that is until I saw Jim Dale's total surprise when he came on to the stage at the London Palladium to be confronted by Eamonn Andrews. This restored my faith in the authenticity of the presentation, apart from it being an enjoyable and really revealing show. Whoever thought up the idea deserves all possible praise.

NORMAN BARRATT,

BERMONDSEY, LONDON

"Anyone who thinks these confrontations are rigged should have checked my heart-rate when I was told," said Jim Dale. For Dale was accosted by Eamonn Andrews while still on stage at the London Palladium. For the audience it was a bonus as the live Palladium show transmission was followed on stage by a recording of Dale's 'life'.

"What amazed me," said Dale, "was the skill with which the secret was kept. Friends and relations knew, of course, but how they managed to keep it from me I'll never know."

And what about Des O'Connor? "I know just how Jim felt," he said. "Eamonn worked the same trick on me, and I got the surprise of my life."

Anybody who still has doubts should take a look at TV Times photographer Ian Vaughan's exclusive picture (above). Vaughan, there on another story, happened to be in the right place at the right time!

Series 14 subjects