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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Paula Tilbrook, actress, was surprised by Michael Aspel while filming a scene on the set of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale in Leeds.

Paula, who was born in Salford, went to stage school from the age of 11 and began her acting career in repertory theatre before taking a break to raise her family. She returned to acting with amateur dramatic societies before her professional career took off following an appearance in a production of Noel Coward's Hayfever at the Library Theatre in Manchester.

She acted in dozens of dramas and sitcoms on radio and was a regular performer with comedian Ken Dodd on his radio show from 1972 to 1991. On stage, she played the title role in the play Effie's Burning, which she reprised for television in 1991. Her other television appearances included the sitcoms Sharon and Elsie and Andy Capp, several parts in Coronation Street and a regular role as the village gossip Betty Eagleton in Emmerdale from 1994.

"Is this a joke?"

programme details...

• Edition No: 1060
• Subject No: 1035
• Broadcast date: Thu 4 Jan 2001
• Broadcast time: 8.00-8.30pm
• Recorded: Thu 2 Nov 2000
• Venue: BBC Manchester
• Series: 41
• Edition: 7
• Code name: Gossip

on the guest list...

• Roy Hulmes - cousin
• Aylsa Walters - cousin
• Gaynor - daughter
• Lesley - daughter-in-law
• Jo - granddaughter
• Laura - granddaughter
• Amy - granddaughter
• Greg - son
• cast members of Emmerdale
• John Middleton
• Clive Hornby
• Christopher Chittell
• Stan Richards
• Malandra Burrows
• Norman Smethurst
• Derek Cardin
• Ken Bryant
• Roy Smith
• Graham Roberts
• Ruth Metcalfe
• John Jardine
• Janette Beverley
• Michael Le Vell
• Valerie Windsor
• Su Pollard
• Paul Loughran
• Paul Shane
Filmed tributes:
• Ken Dodd
• Anna Keaveney
• Brigit Forsyth

related appearances...

• Richard Whiteley - Mar 1997
• Clive Hornby - Dec 1997
• Christopher Chittell - Oct 1998
• Brigit Forsyth - Apr 2002
• John Middleton - Jul 2003

production team...

• Researcher: Kate Greer
• 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 on the Farm

Emmerdale's finest

Christopher Chittell

Ken Dodd

Brigit Forsyth

Clive Hornby

John Middleton

Paul Shane

Screenshots of Paula Tilbrook This Is Your Life