Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
A combination of dwindling ratings, constant changes to the schedule, and unfavourable press reports on the programme's future finally came to a head when the BBC announced the end of This Is Your Life.
The final outside broadcast - which honoured a record-breaking mountaineer - was recorded at the Rheged Centre in Penrith, Cumbria, while the last extended edition, billed as a 'This Is Your Life Special', paid tribute to a much-loved comedian - surprised for the second time.
After 15 years and 393 editions, Michael Aspel announced his departure from the programme in June 2003 after recording his last ever This Is Your Life and presenting the Big Red Book for the final time.
The BBC broadcast This Is Your Life in its present form for the last time in August 2003 - edition number 1130 and subject number 1104 - before officially announcing the programme's cancellation in October.
After 48 years, 1130 editions and 1104 subjects, the Big Red Book, the programme's icon, was placed back on the shelf!
related pages...
the show's fifty year history
Aspel Takes It All In His Stride
Belfast News Letter reports on Michael Aspel's 15 years on This Is Your Life
Prop Watch: This is your...big red book
Radio Times looks at the show's true icon
The Western Mail recalls subjects with Welsh roots
The Mirror interviews Michael Aspel
Press coverage on the uncertain future of This Is Your Life
End of an era as Aspel closes his big red book
Press coverage as Michael Aspel quits This Is Your Life
Press coverage of a new documentary on Eamonn Andrews
Press coverage of the BBC's announcement
| David DICKINSON | Antiques expert and television presenter | 2 January 2003 |
| Mo MOWLAM | Former politician | 9 January 2003 |
| Gillian TAYLFORTH | Actress | 16 January 2003 |
| Mike RUTHERFORD | Singer, guitarist and songwriter | 23 January 2003 |
| John MCARDLE | Actor | 30 January 2003 |
| Elmer BERNSTEIN | Film composer | 6 February 2003 |
| Charles COLLINGWOOD | Actor | 13 February 2003 |
| Jonathan DAVIES | Rugby player | 20 February 2003 |
| Elizabeth PESCOPS | Retired headteacher | 27 February 2003 |
| George BEST | Former footballer | 6 March 2003 |
| Lisa MAXWELL | Actress and television presenter | 10 April 2003 |
| Roger COOK | Investigative journalist and broadcaster | 17 April 2003 |
| Bob MONKHOUSE | Comedian and entertainer | 23 April 2003 |
| Nicholas WINTON | Humanitarian | 1 May 2003 |
| Anthony ANDREWS | Actor | 8 May 2003 |
| Alex NORTON | Actor | 15 May 2003 |
| John BARDON | Actor | 5 June 2003 |
| Simon COWELL | Music executive and television personality | 12 June 2003 |
| Alec STEWART | Cricketer | 19 June 2003 |
| Vic ARMSTRONG | Film director and stunt coordinator | 26 June 2003 |
| Chris BONINGTON | Mountaineer | 3 July 2003 |
| John MIDDLETON | Actor | 17 July 2003 |
| Bob HARRIS | Broadcaster | 24 July 2003 |
| Gyles BRANDRETH | Broadcaster, writer and entertainer | 1 August 2003 |
| Aled JONES | Singer and television and radio presenter | 8 August 2003 |
Simon COWELL - Music executive and entrepreneur - 2 June 2007
This Is Your Life returns in June 2007 for one night only. Ironically the subject, surprised by Trevor McDonald - himself a former subject, was previously surprised by Michael Aspel on his last recorded edition.
This one-off production is co-produced by ITV Productions, STV Productions, TIYL Productions, Click TV and Ralph Edwards Productions.
Broadcast details
Thames Television production for BBC25 editions | 24 x 30 minutes | 1 x 60 minutes
Wednesday | 8.00pm x 1
Thursday | 7.00pm x 22
Friday | 7.00pm x 2
No editions broadcast on 13 March 2003 and 20 March 2003 due to a UEFA Cup football match
No edition scheduled for 27 March 2003
The advertised 3 April 2003 edition was rescheduled
No editions broadcast on 22 May 2003 and 29 May 2003 due to Bargain Hunt Live
No edition scheduled for 10 July 2003
Production team
In association with Ralph Edwards Productions And TIYL ProductionsProducer: Sue Green | Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
Series Consultant: John Longley | Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
Director: John Gorman | Location Directors: Steve Docherty, Peter Wisdom, Paul Kirrage
Writers: Ian Brown, Joe Steeples
Researchers: Kate Greer, Deborah Cowan, Ruth Malone, Carrie Rose, Jo Grant, Ian Skelton, Alex Renton
Programme Associates: Ian Brown, Joe Steeples | Production Assistants: Irene Maxwell-Clark, Liz Fleming
Production Manager: Dawn Gray | Programme Co-ordinators: Deborah Armstrong, Leilah Mason
Music Composed by: Laurie Johnson | Production Designer: Simon Jago | Archive Research: Helen Bennitt, Cassie Bennitt
Studio Managers/Facilities Managers: Paul Thackray, Sarah Lavender, Aidan Boulter, Tony Heasman, John Gammidge, Steve Senior
Floor Managers: Simon Wallace, Val Lawson, Steve Pierson, Iola Protheroe, Annette McCreadie
Lighting Directors: John Pomphrey, John Watt, Stan Robinson
Sound Supervisors: Richard Bradford, Dave Thompson, Paul Chaventre, John Downes, Paul Gartrell, Howard Nook, Hugh Davison,
Nick Roast, Laurie Taylor, Peter Willcocks, Jim Renwick, Jack Krawczyk
Senior Cameraman: Chas Watts, Roy Easton, Mike Paterson, Adam Gordon, Ian Turner, Bo Baraniak
Vision Mixers: Carole Chessun, Ian Blease, Jenny Bozson, Richard Scollard, Glynis Bennett
Dubbing Mixer: Adrian Smith | Videotape Editors: Steve Murray, Mark Sangster
Client Liaison Manager: Colin Marsden
Production Team: Cassie Bennitt, Judi Grant, Nina Martuccio, Roger Read, Steve Parker, Carrie Rose, Deborah Cowan, Stephen Parker