Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
John HARRIS (1945-)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - John Harris, Paralympian athlete, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews - with the help of Henry Cooper - in the foyer of Thames Television's Euston Road Studios having been lead to believe he was to take part in a radio interview.
John, who was a keen athlete as a youth, broke his back at the age of 18 when he fell from a big wheel at a Butlins holiday camp, resulting in the paralysis of his legs. His involvement in Parasports began when a friend persuaded him to join a gym in order to improve fitness and give him focus.
John was selected for the 1980 Summer Paralympics where he entered three events but failed to win any medals. However, at the 1984 games, held at short notice in the grounds of Stoke Mandeville Hospital, John was entered for the discus, shot put and javelin, and his Paralympic record breaking discus throw secured him the gold medal.
"I wondered why I couldn't get hold of anybody today!"
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Series 26 subjects
William Roache | Dennis Taylor | Elisabeth Welch | Sheila Mercier | Richard Branson | Maurice Denham | David Ellaway