This Is Your Life: Phyllis Lumley

Phyllis LUMLEY (1915-?)

The first time a subject was told of the surprise prior to the programme

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Phyllis Lumley, housewife and mother, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews backstage at the BBC Television Theatre.

Eamonn announced at the beginning of the programme – "Tonight, This Is Your Life has relaxed its most rigid rule in order to tell one of its greatest stories. For the first time in eight years and 216 programmes, we told our Guest of Honour our plans just an hour ago."

Phyllis, who was born in Southampton without arms, was a pupil at a school for disabled children in Portsmouth during the 1920s, where she learnt to use her feet in place of hands.

After moving to London, she married and, despite her disabilities, started a family, raising seven children of her own. She became an active member of her community, looking after her neighbour's children and opening her home to overseas students.

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