Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
This Is Your Life, now on British television screens for more than 20 years and unquestionably at the peak of its popularity, scored yet another milestone in the programme's history - in this 19th series since the programme began in 1955.
ITV adjusted the schedules to allow the programme to broadcast its festive edition on Christmas Day. The specially extended edition - which honoured a global superstar and world champion - remains one of the most talked-about editions ever and still ranks as a favourite among the production team.
After nine years broadcasting from Thames Television's Euston Road Studios, This Is Your Life packed its bags and relocated to the New London Theatre in Covent Garden - which, with its large stage and auditorium, created a greater sense of occasion and allowed for a longer guest list!
related pages...
the show's fifty year history
TV Times interview with Michael Aspel
Irish magazine RTE Guide reveals some behind-the-scenes secrets
| Alice GOLDBERGER | Child therapist | 25 October 1978 |
| Michael PARKINSON | Broadcaster, journalist and author | 1 November 1978 |
| Mary O'HARA | Singer and harpist | 8 November 1978 |
| Barbara KELLY | Actress and broadcaster | 15 November 1978 |
| Terry SCOTT | Comedy actor | 22 November 1978 |
| Jimmy SHAND | Scottish musician | 29 November 1978 |
| Eric NEWBY | Author and travel writer | 6 December 1978 |
| Patricia NEAL | Actress | 13 December 1978 |
| David BELLAMY | Author, broadcaster and botanist | 20 December 1978 |
| Muhammad ALI | Boxer | 25 December 1978 |
| Vera LYNN | Singer and entertainer | 1 January 1979 |
| Naomi JAMES | Yachtswoman | 10 January 1979 |
| Leslie THOMAS | Author | 17 January 1979 |
| James GALWAY | Flutist and musician | 24 January 1979 |
| Elaine PAIGE | Singer and actress | 31 January 1979 |
| Lord LOVAT | Chief of the Clan Fraser and British Commando | 7 February 1979 |
| Kevin KEEGAN | Footballer | 14 February 1979 |
| Stephane GRAPPELLI | French jazz violinist | 21 February 1979 |
| Robert POWELL | Actor | 28 February 1979 |
| Shirley CRABTREE | Wrestler | 7 March 1979 |
| Peter BARKWORTH | Actor | 14 March 1979 |
| Robert LAW | Winchman | 21 March 1979 |
| Dinah SHERIDAN | Actress | 28 March 1979 |
| JPR WILLIAMS | Rugby union footballer | 4 April 1979 |
| Joyce PEARCE | Charity founder | 11 April 1979 |
| Ian OGILVY | Actor | 18 April 1979 |
| Margaret KELLY | Irish dancer – founder of The Bluebell Girls | 3 May 1979 |
Broadcast details
Thames Television production for ITV27 editions | 26 x 30 minutes | 1 x 45 minutes
Wednesday | 7.00pm x 23 | 9.30pm x 1
Monday | 7.00pm x 1 | 10.15pm x 1
Thursday | 10.15pm x 1
Production team
Producer: Jack Crawshaw | Directors: Royston Mayoh, Terry Yarwood, Stuart HallWriters: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley, John Sandilands, Bob Tyrrell | Programme Consultants: Tom Brennand, Roy Bottomley
Researchers: Maurice Leonard, Debbie Gaunt, Tony Lee, John Graham, Cathy Parnall, Sue Jerrard, Vivien Lind, John Viner
Programme Associate: Kay Bird | Production Assistants: Miriam Cooper, Carole Kane | Designers: Lewis Logan, John Reid, Jan Chaney