12 January 1972

Eamonn took on the guise of a waiter at Quaglino's Restaurant in London in order to pin down the transatlantic broadcaster while he was enjoying dinner with his mother. David's parallel careers of comedy and journalism are reflected in his guest list, which included comedians Ronnie Corbett and Bob Hope and journalist Patrick Campbell.

16 February 1972

The television presenter - perhaps best known for fronting the ITV talent show Opportunity Knocks - was surprised by Eamonn at Elstree Aerodrome as he attempted to pilot his own aeroplane!
The actors Ben Lyon and Margaret Lockwood are guests, along with comedian Les Dawson and entertainer Danny La Rue.

19 March 1975

Dickie - best known as the main presenter of ITV's World of Sport since 1968 - was surprised by Eamonn, suitably dressed in wrestling gear, at the gym above the Thomas A Becket pub on London's Old Kent Road.
The comedian Tommy Trinder is among the guests paying tribute back at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.

1 March 1978

Eamonn disguised himself as a barman in order to surprise the actor and presenter in the bar of London's White House Hotel.
Nicholas - currently presenting the ITV quiz show Sale Of The Century - was greeted by, among others, actor Gordon Jackson, comedy writer Barry Cryer and actor and theatre manager Brian Rix.

1 November 1978

Eamonn and the team took a boat up the River Thames to Michael's Berkshire home to surprise the presenter in his own back garden!
The show climaxes with a musical extravaganza which includes Marion Montgomery, Laurie Holloway, Ronnie Scott, Stephane Grappelli, Petula Clark and the Harry Stoneham Five.

15 November 1978

The Canadian-born actress and broadcaster - perhaps best known as a panellist on BBC Television's hugely successful game show What's My Line? - was surprised by Eamonn at London's Tower Hotel.
Barbara had recently had her engagement ring stolen, and her husband Bernard Braden surprised her with a replacement during the recording of the tribute.

14 May 1980

Our future This Is Your Life presenter was surprised by Eamonn during a recording of the hugely popular ITV charades game show, Give Us A Clue.
In a clever twist, regulars Lionel Blair and Una Stubbs mime out Life's four word title for Michael to guess - while Eamonn approaches from behind the set with his Big Red Book!

17 December 1980

Russell - dressed as Father Christmas - was filming in London's Selfridges department store when Eamonn approached with his own special Christmas present.
His guests include the Hollywood actress Olivia de Havilland who enters, not through the sliding doors, but through the theatre's audience, to the theme tune from Gone with the Wind.

8 April 1981

Eamonn surprised Judith on London's Downing Street - on board an Edwardian style bus full of friends and celebrities.
The broadcaster Jean Metcalfe and dance teacher Peggy Spencer are among those paying tribute to the presenter - perhaps best known for the ITV travel programme Wish You Were Here...?

17 March 1982

The forever stylish globetrotting broadcaster was surprised by Eamonn outside the Berkeley Hotel in London's Knightsbridge.
Alan - who joined the BBC in 1957 - is greeted by, among others, racing driver Jackie Stewart, broadcaster Sir Huw Wheldon and model and former interviewee Baroness Fiona Thyssen.

10 November 1982

In an elaborate set-up the production team traveled to Rome in order that Eamonn - dressed as an Italian policeman - could surprise the Italian-born actress, writer and television personality.
Back in London Katie is greeted by novelist Barbara Cartland, actress Evelyn Laye and actor and comedian Spike Milligan.

1 December 1982

Leslie - who achieved fame for being the first voice heard on BBC Television at its inception in November 1936 - was surprised by Eamonn at Thames Television's Teddington Studios.
Among those paying tribute to Leslie - who had a long association with British Movietone News - are actresses Dinah Sheridan, Dulcie Gray and Barbara Kelly.

6 April 1983

Eamonn's method of surprise was met with the expected wit from the team captain of the BBC's Call My Bluff panel game – 'You came out of the piano... you must be out of your mind!'
The former school teacher turned broadcaster was greeted by, among others, Crossroads Noele Gordon and Hollywood star Alice Faye.

21 December 1983

Eamonn, disguised as Santa Claus, and with the big red book wrapped up as a present, surprised Matthew during a photo shoot with his colleagues from the ITV entertainment programme Game For A Laugh, on a cold December evening in London's Trafalgar Square.
Among those paying tribute are actors Peter Davison and Patricia Hodge, and writer and comedian Eric Sykes.

16 November 1988

The presenter of That's Life since 1973 was surprised by Michael while recording an edition of that long-running consumer affairs programme at the BBC Television Centre.
Esther's tribute includes a reunion of the show's past presenters, as well as fellow broadcasters Gloria Hunniford, Jan Leemimg and Sue Lawley.

4 April 1990

In a tricksy set up, the presenter best known for hosting ITV's Blockbusters quiz show, was surprised during a radio broadcast from BBC's Broadcasting House. His guest just happened to be Michael Aspel, who surprised him with the big red book - at the end of the interview - live on air! The tribute affords Bob the opportunity to show off his skills on the bongos!

16 January 1991

Bernard was originally due to be surprised 15 years earlier, but the tribute had to be cancelled when a member of the family inadvertently spilt the beans!
Finally then, Michael was able to surprise the Canadian-born actor and broadcaster, with the help of Bernard's wife, Barbara Kelly, outside London's Aldwych Theatre.

26 January 1994

Michael took on the guise of Santa to surprise Britain's best-known practical joker during a school Christmas carol concert at a church in Hampstead, North London.
Among the guests greeting Jeremy - who is best known for the ITV shows Game For a Laugh and Beadle's About - are fellow presenter Danny Baker and actress Susan George.

25 October 1996

The journalist and writer - best known as the presenter of the BBC's motoring programme Top Gear - was surprised by Michael, appropriately, at the Motor Show at Birmingham's NEC.
Guests include fellow broadcasters Anne Robinson and Alan Whicker.

6 January 1997

The couple - who met each other while working at Granada Television in 1982 - were surprised by Michael 'live on air' while presenting their popular daytime television programme, This Morning.
The couple's tribute includes messages from Barbara Windsor, William Roache, Matthew Kelly and Frank Carson.

3 March 1997

The presenter of Channel 4's daytime quiz show Countdown was surprised by Michael on the set of the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Richard's tribute includes messages from broadcaster Terry Wogan and novelist Barbara Taylor Bradford, while the Giggleswick School jazz choir close the show with a performance of 'Who Could Ask For Anything More?'

8 September 1997

Former taxi driver Fred Housego - a Mastermind winner and subject of This Is Your Life - helped Michael surprise the BBC quiz show presenter during a reception at the Icelandic Ambassador's central London home. Among those greeting Magnus - who had just announced his retirement from fronting the show after 25 years in the job - was presenter Cliff Michelmore.

20 October 1997

The co-presenter of Channel 4's daytime quiz show Countdown - who became well known for her quickfire mathematical skills - was surprised by Michael at London's Fortune Theatre.
Countdown's main presenter, Richard Whiteley, was among those greeting Carol, as well as lyricist Tim Rice and comedian Ken Dodd.

1 December 1997

Peter - perhaps best known for co-presenting ITN's General Election results programmes and as the first main presenter of BBC's Newsnight - was surprised by Michael at the BBC Television Centre while recording an edition of the science and technology programme Tomorrow's World - a programme he had recently joined.

2 February 1998

The former Fleet Street journalist - who became a television presenter - was caught by Michael during a 'live' broadcast of the BBC's consumer affairs programme Watchdog - a show she had fronted since 1993.
Among the celebrities and journalists gathered to pay tribute was the political broadcaster Sir Robin Day.

23 February 1998

Michael surprised Raymond - who is perhaps best known as the first presenter of the BBC's science and technology programme Tomorrow's World - with the help of his friend, racing driver Stirling Moss, at a recording studio in London's Soho.
The singer Vince Hill and motor racing commentator Murray Walker are among Raymond's guests.

14 September 1998

The Scottish-born presenter and former model was caught out by Michael while filming for the BBC DIY home improvement show Changing Rooms on the outskirts of Bolton.
As well as the show's regular team of designers, Carol is greeted by fellow presenters and broadcasters Esther Rantzen and Kirsty Young.

26 October 1998

The former presenter of Children's BBC - who went on to appear in musical theatre - was surprised by Michael at the curtain call of the musical Doctor Dolittle at London's Hammersmith Apollo.
Among those greeting Phillip to pay tribute are fellow presenters Anthea Turner, Emma Forbes and Caron Keating.

25 January 1999

Floella - perhaps best known for presenting the BBC children's television programme Play School - was surprised by Michael while filming at London's Millenium Dome in her role as Millennium Commissioner.
Paying tribute to Floella - also a successful author - are the dance teacher Peggy Spencer and actor Rudolph Walker.

6 December 1999

Michael surprised the broadcaster - best known for fronting the BBC game show It's A Knockout and for his lyrical football commentaries - while he was filming in Manchester.
Among the guests are fellow broadcaster Raymond Baxter and Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, the actor William Roache.

17 January 2000

In the first show broadcast after The Night of 1000 Lives, Michael springs his surprise on Dale live on air during the National Lottery programme from BBC Television Centre.
The actors Barbara Windsor and Nicholas Parsons and singer and presenter Cilla Black greet Dale to pay their tributes.

15 May 2000

Desmond's family - including his wife Esther Rantzen - are on hand to assist Michael in surprising the former journalist turned filmmaker at the London Eye - a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames.
David Frost and the Duchess of Kent contribute their tribute via recorded messages, while former politician Jack Ashley greets Desmond in the studio.

14 March 2001

The radio and television presenter was surprised by Michael while recording an edition of the panel gameshow It's Only TV But I Like It at the BBC Television Centre. Among those paying tribute to Jonathan - in a lively edition of the show - are entertainer Julian Clary, former footballer Gary Linekar and comedy duo Reeves and Mortimer.

2 May 2001

Valerie - best known as a presenter of the popular children's series Blue Peter - was surprised by Michael on the set of Gloria Hunniford's Open House television show at the Fremantle Studios in London.
A host of Blue Peter presenters past and present greet Valerie, along with former Newsround presenter John Craven.

31 January 2002

In a heart stopping moment, the television wildlife expert and former member of the comedy team The Goodies, flatly refused Michael's surprise invitation delivered at the Slimbridge Wildfowl Trust.
However, Bill was persuaded to take part and among those paying tribute are journalist and presenter David Frost and botanist and broadcaster David Bellamy.

7 February 2002

The former presenter of the BBC television cookery gameshow Ready Steady Cook was surprised by Michael during a presentation of donated equipment at the Wickham Hospital in Buckinghamshire.
Fern is the daughter of comedy actor Tony Britton and her tribute includes a clip of her appearance on his This Is Your Life, which was broadcast in 1977.

14 February 2002

Michael arrived in a speeding police car in order to nab Nick - co-host of the BBC's Crimewatch programme from 1984 - outside Clear Cut Pictures, a television editing suite in West London.
Among those paying tribute to Nick - who began his career while still a student at Queen's University, Belfast - are fellow presenters Fiona Bruce and Roger Cook.

17 April 2003

The award winning investigative journalist and broadcaster - who was born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and moved to the UK in 1968 - was surprised by Michael during a visit to the Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
Motor racing legend Stirling Moss and newsreader Trevor McDonald are among those paying tribute.

1 August 2003

Michael surprised Gyles during the curtain call of his show Zipp! 100 Musicals in 100 Minutes at the Duchess Theatre in London.
The broadcaster, writer and entertainer - who is also a former Conservative MP - was greeted by, among others, actress and dancer Bonnie Langford and presenter Nicholas Parsons.

8 August 2003

In the final This Is Your Life edition to be broadcast on the BBC, the former choirboy was surprised by Michael while recording a special edition of Songs of Praise at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Terry Wogan and Bob Geldof send recorded messages while actress Janet Brown pays tribute in person.