Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Rodney Bewes, actor, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on his way to a business meeting in central London.

Rodney, who was born in Bingley but grew up in Luton, began acting as a child, appearing in two BBC television series in 1952. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he worked in repertory theatre and in small television roles.

His role in the 1963 film, Billy Liar, led to his casting in 1964 in the popular BBC sitcom The Likely Lads and its sequel, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, in 1973. He also starred in his own ITV sitcom Dear Mother… Love Albert, which he created and co-wrote.

"Thank you very much, Eamonn - it's a great honour!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 556
• Subject No: 552
• Broadcast date: Wed 10 Dec 1980
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Tue 28 Oct 1980
• Venue: New London Theatre
• Series: 21
• Edition: 9
• Code name: Trio

on the guest list...

• Daphne - wife
• Daisy - daughter
• Joe - son
• Tom - son
• Billy - son
• Sandra Payne
• Terence Alexander
• Avril Angers
• Gorden Kaye
• Mike Walling
• Bessie - mother
• Geoff - brother
• Ieuan Harry
• Edna - aunt
• Jim - uncle
• Tom Courtenay
• Ian Le Frenais
• Deidre Birchwood
• Basil Brush
• Sheila White
• Francis Matthews
• June Watson
• Tom Chadbon
• Lucy Fleming
• Sheila Grant
• Plugger Pete
• Pedro Parry
• Mad Monk Munday
• Burgess Nigel
• Bunny Legge
• Dick Clement

related appearances...

• Tom Courtenay - Feb 1972
• Anna Neagle - Mar 1983
• Lord Brabourne - Oct 1990
• Bill Kenwright - Feb 1994
• Denise Welch - Nov 1999

production team...

• Researcher: John Graham
• Writers: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
• Directors: Stuart Hall, Terry Yarwood
• Producer: Jack Crawshaw

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

The Good Life

the sitcom stars

This is the secret life

Jack Crawshaw reviews his time on This Is Your Life

Tom Courtenay

Gorden Kaye

Screenshots of Rodney Bewes This Is Your Life