Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
Nat JACKLEY (1909-1988)
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Nat Jackley, comedian and actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Euston Station, having been led to believe he was being filmed for a programme about the great days of variety.
Nat, who was born in Sunderland into a family of music hall performers, made his stage debut in Chesterfield in 1921. Aged 15, he toured the UK and Europe with a clog dancing troupe known as the 8 Lancashire Lads.
After war service, he established himself as one of the country’s leading comedians, appearing regularly in the West End and in pantomime, known for his funny walk and rubber-necked character. As a character actor in later life, he became a familiar face on television, particularly in the series The Spoils of War.
"Well, well, what a surprise!"
programme details...
- Edition No: 544
- Subject No: 541
- Broadcast date: Wed 30 Apr 1980
- Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
- Recorded: Wed 16 Apr 1980
- Venue: New London Theatre
- Series: 20
- Edition: 23
- Code name: Walk
on the guest list...
- Jack Smethurst
- Kate Williams
- Rudolph Walker
- Sue Bond
- Sarah - granddaughter
- Catherine - granddaughter
- Michael - son
- Marion - daughter-in-law
- Lisa - granddaughter
- Peter - son
- Jenny - daughter-in-law
- Anne - daughter
- Jolyon - son
- Christopher - stepson
- Pam - wife
- Joy - sister
- Ronnie - brother
- Dave - brother
- Dickie Henderson
- Tessie O'Shea
- Jeannie Carson
- David Langton
- Philip - brother
- Joan - sister-in-law Filmed tributes:
- Beryl Reid
- Avis Bunnage
- William Lucas
- Colette O’Neil
- Jane How
- Anita Carey
- Alan Hunter
- Ian Hastings
- James Bate
- Emily Moore
- William Boyde
- Madelaine Newton
related appearances...
- Cyril Fletcher - Mar 1977
- Tessie O'Shea - Dec 1984
production team...
- Researchers: Tom Wettengel, Katie Lander
- Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
- Directors: Paul Stewart Laing, Terry Yarwood
- Producer: Jack Crawshaw
- names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life
it's all about the comedy
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Screenshots of Nat Jackley This Is Your Life
Series 20 subjects
Pat Seed | Fred Trueman | Noel Barber | Charles Aznavour | Eric Sykes | Andrew Sachs | Gerald Harper | Terry GriffithsPaddie O'Neil | George Martin | Geoffrey Capes | Roy Kinnear | Nyree Dawn Porter | Emlyn Hughes | Stewart Granger
Clare Francis | Jilly Cooper | Robin Cousins | Brian Bevan | Bill Beaumont | Mike Tetley
Alan Minter | Nat Jackley | Cathleen Nesbitt | Michael Aspel | Clive Lloyd