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Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Ray Illingworth, cricketer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while coaching students at the Middlesex Indoor Cricket School.

Ray, who was born in Pudsey, Leeds, gained a regular place in Yorkshire County Cricket Club's second team in October 1950 and made his first-class debut at 19. During his 17 years with Yorkshire, he achieved a career double of 15000 runs and 1500 wickets. Ray left the club in 1968 after a contract dispute and joined Leicestershire CCC as their captain.

He made his Test debut for England in 1958, aged 26, but was in and out of the team throughout the 1960s. However, he was made captain in 1969 and led his side to a series victory in Australia in 1970-71 - for the first time in 12 years - and then retained the Ashes at home in 1972.

"I always said you'd never catch me!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 330
• Subject No: 331
• Broadcast live: Wed 12 Apr 1972
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Venue: Euston Road Studios
• Series: 12
• Edition: 22

on the guest list...

• Basil D'Oliveira
• John Edrich
• Alan Knott
• Ken Shuttleworth
• Peter Lever
• Derek Underwood
• Brian Luckhurst
• Alan Ward
• Keith Fletcher
• Don Wilson
• Bob Willis
• Bob Taylor
• David Clark
• Shirley - wife
• Michael Parkinson
• Fred - father
• Ida - mother
• Sam Spencer
• Doris Spencer
• Sam Blackburn
• Donald Jones
• Eric Hargate
• Brian Wade
• Fred Trueman
• Charles Palmer
• Arthur Mitchell
• Vicky - daughter
• Diane - daughter
• Len Hutton
Filmed tributes:
• Jackie Charlton
• Garfield Sobers
• Ian Chappell

related appearances...

• Basil D'Oliveira - Mar 1971
• Dickie Bird - Oct 1992

production team...

• Researchers: Sarah Dickinson, David McFarlane
• Writer: Jack Crawshaw
• Director: Margery Baker
• Producer: Malcolm Morris

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

Life Before Wicket

bowling up the cricketers

Jackie Charlton

Basil D'Oliveira

Garfield Sobers

Fred Trueman

Screenshots of Ray Illingworth This Is Your Life