The Good Life
This Is Your Life The Good Life feature
Wendy Craig This Is Your Life Wendy Craig This Is Your Life Wendy CRAIG

11 February 1970

Wendy - who became a household name after starring in the BBC sitcom Not In Front of the Children - was surprised by Eamonn while posing for a family portrait at a Chelsea photography studio.
Actor Dirk Bogarde pays tribute via a recorded message, while entertainer Harry Secombe greets Wendy at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.

     
     
  Alfie Bass This Is Your Life Alfie BASS

11 March 1970

The actor who became a household name in the late 1950s through his appearances in the ITV sitcom The Army Game, and its sequel Bootsie and Snudge, was surprised by Eamonn.
Alfie's co-star from those programmes, Bill Fraser, is among those paying tribute, along with composer and lyricist Lionel Bart and screenwriter Ted Willis.

     
     
Reg Varney This Is Your Life Reg Varney This Is Your Life Reg VARNEY

20 May 1970

The actor and comedian who appeared in the sitcoms The Rag Trade and Beggar My Neighbour, and became a household name as the star of the ITV sitcom On The Buses, was suprised by Eamonn while handing out presents to children at a London bus depot.
Actresses Barbara Windsor and June Whitfield and comedian Ted Ray are on the guest list.

     
     
Clive Dunn This Is Your Life Clive Dunn This Is Your Life Clive DUNN

24 March 1971

Clive was dressed in the role that made him a household name - that of Lance Corporal Jones from the BBC sitcom Dad's Army - when Eamonn surprised him while filming on Barnes Common in London.
Among those greeting Clive back at the Thames Television's Euston Road Studios is comedy actress Hattie Jacques.

     
     
Doris Hare This Is Your Life Doris Hare This Is Your Life Doris HARE

29 December 1971

After a long career that included music hall, variety, radio, straight plays and comedy revues, Doris came to national attention in the hugely popular 1970s ITV sitcom On the Buses. Surprised by Eamonn outside London's White House Hotel, Doris retorted, 'Oh, I haven't had my hair done!' and subsequently kept her hat on during the show's recording!

     
     
Hylda Baker This Is Your Life Hylda Baker This Is Your Life Hylda BAKER

1 March 1972

The comedienne and actress, who began her career as a variety act in the music halls, was surprised by Eamonn outside Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.
Hylda - best known for her role in the ITV sitcom Nearest and Dearest - was greeted by her colleagues from that show, as well as producer Barney Colehan and singer Dorothy Squires.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Richard BRIERS

3 May 1972

The actor - best known for the BBC sitcom Marriage Lines - was surprised by Eamonn in the third Thames series. Among those paying tribute in this, the first of his two tributes, are actress Jule Ege and film director Harold French.

     
     
Warren Mitchell This Is Your Life Warren Mitchell This Is Your Life Warren MITCHELL

6 December 1972

Warren - best known for his role as the bigoted cockney West Ham United supporter Alf Garnett in the BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part - was surprised by Eamonn at London's City Literary Institute.
The sitcom's creator Johnny Speight is among the guests greeting Warren in person, while actor Richard Burton sends messages via a live satellite link from Munich.

     
     
  Jack Smethurst This Is Your Life Jack SMETHURST

24 January 1973

Jack - who made his film debut in Carry on Sergeant in 1958 and appeared in small parts in various 1960s films before becoming a household name playing Eddie Booth in the ITV sitcom Love Thy Neighbour - was surprised by Eamonn.

     
     
  Diana Coupland This Is Your Life Diana COUPLAND

28 February 1973

Eamonn surprised the actress and singer - who began singing professionally on BBC radio at the age of 15 and appeared in West End shows such as Gigi and Not Now, Darling before becoming best known for her role as Jean Abbott on the ITV sitcom Bless This House.

     
     
  Deryck Guyler This Is Your Life Deryck GUYLER

9 January 1974

The actor - best known for his association with comedian and writer Eric Sykes and as a regular in the ITV sitcom Please Sir! was surprised by Eamonn.
Among those greeting Deryck - also known for playing the Washboard - are actor Maurice Denham and comedian Harry Worth.

     
     
  Jimmy Jewel This Is Your Life Jimmy JEWEL

30 January 1974

Eamonn surprised the actor and comedian outside Thames Television's Euston Road Studios with the help of an exploding Volkswagon car!
Among those paying tribute to Jimmy - best known for his role in the ITV sitcom Nearest and Dearest - are actor Jon Pertwee and entertainer Tessie O'Shea.

     
     
Bill Maynard This Is Your Life Bill Maynard This Is Your Life Bill MAYNARD

4 December 1974

The actor - famous for his eponymous lead role in the ITV sitcom Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggit! - was surprised by Eamonn while traveling by train from Manchester to London.
Actor Jon Pertwee greets Bill in the studio, while his former comedy partner, Terry Scott, sends a recorded message.

     
     
Richard O'Sullivan This Is Your Life Richard O'Sullivan This Is Your Life Richard O'SULLIVAN

11 December 1974

Eamonn surprised the comedy actor while filming on location for the hit ITV sitcom Man About The House, with the help of the show's other stars, who then joined the tribute. Richard - who had clearly taken advantage of the pre-show champagne - is greeted by, among others, the actor Trevor Howard, who appears to have also partaken of the hospitality drinks!

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Queenie WATTS

22 January 1975

The actress and singer, who appeared in many British films, including Alfie and Half a Sixpence, in addition to running two East End pubs, but perhaps best known for the ITV sitcom Romany Jones, was surprised by Eamonn.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Leonard ROSSITER

5 February 1975

Eamonn surprised the actor, who had a long career in the theatre and who appeared in films such as Billy Liar and 2001: A Space Odyssey, but who became a household name playing lecherous landlord Rigsby in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp.

     
     
Nina Baden-Semper This Is Your Life Nina Baden-Semper This Is Your Life Nina BADEN-SEMPER

12 March 1975

Nina - who was born in Trinidad and moved to the UK to train as a nurse before becoming an actress - was surprised by Eamonn while filming for an episode of the ITV sitcom Love Thy Neighbour - the show which made her a household name.
Among those paying tribute is the Trinidadian musician Edmundo Ros.

     
     
Mollie Sugden This Is Your Life Mollie Sugden This Is Your Life Mollie SUGDEN

9 April 1975

The actress - best known for her role as Mrs Slocombe in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? - was in the foyer of Thames Television's Euston Road Studios when Eamonn surprised her.
On her guest list were three actors - and This Is Your Life subjects - to whom she'd played 'mum' - Nerys Hughes, Jack Smethurst and John Alderton.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Michael BATES

16 April 1975

Eamonn surprised the actor who played various roles in the BBC's long-running comedy series The Navy Lark but became better known to television viewers for his appearances in the BBC sitcoms Last of the Summer Wine and It Ain't Half Hot Mum.

     
     
Windsor Davies This Is Your Life Windsor Davies This Is Your Life Windsor DAVIES

7 January 1976

Windsor - who was currently playing the bullying Sergeant Major Williams in the BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot, Mum - was surprised by Eamonn, and his colleagues from the comedy, outside a restaurant in London's fashionable Chelsea. The tribute to the actor, born in London to Welsh parents, closes with a rousing performance from a Welsh male voice choir.

     
     
Arnold Ridley This Is Your Life Arnold Ridley This Is Your Life Arnold RIDLEY

10 March 1976

The actor and playwright - who found national fame through his role as Private Godfrey in the BBC sitcom Dad's Army - was surprised by Eamonn at London's Marylebone station - with the help of the show's other cast members.
Arnold's tribute includes a filmed message from actor Dirk Bogarde.

     
     
June Whitfield This Is Your Life June Whitfield This Is Your Life June WHITFIELD

14 April 1976

Eamonn surprised the popular comedy actress in her own living room at her Wimbledon home!
June appeared in many radio and television comedy series including Take It From Here and Happy Ever After. A line up of famous comedy names pay tribute including Terry Scott, Frankie Howerd, Peter Butterworth and Bob Monkhouse.

     
     
John Inman This Is Your Life John Inman This Is Your Life John INMAN

22 December 1976

The comedy actor - known to television viewers as Mr Humphries in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? - was in full pantomime dame costume when Eamonn surprised him at the Wimbledon Theatre.
At the This Is Your Life studios John is greeted by the rest of the cast from the comedy, along with writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft.

     
     
Patrick Cargill This Is Your Life Patrick Cargill This Is Your Life Patrick CARGILL

29 December 1976

The character actor - who became a household name in a role specifically written for him in the ITV sitcom Father Dear Father - was surprised by Eamonn at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.
Paying tribute to Patrick are many of the guest stars who appear with him in the sitcom, including actors Beryl Reid, Joyce Carey and Tony Britton.

     
     
Tony Britton This Is Your Life Tony Britton This Is Your Life Tony BRITTON

26 January 1977

Eamonn dressed up as a doorman at London's Café Royal - and enlisted the help of the actor's co-stars from the television sitcom Robin's Nest, Tessa Wyatt and Richard O'Sullivan - to surprise Tony.
On the guest list are actresses Margaret Lockwood and Moira Lister, while actor Peter Finch sends a filmed message.

     
     
Richard Beckinsale This Is Your Life Richard Beckinsale This Is Your Life Richard BECKINSALE

23 November 1977

Richard - known to television viewers for his roles in the hit comedy series The Lovers, Rising Damp and Porridge - was suprised at London's Prince of Wales Theatre when Eamonn interrupted rehearsals for the musical I Love My Wife. His co-stars from the aforementioned shows, Paula Wilcox, Leonard Rossiter and Ronnie Barker join his tribute.

     
     
Arthur English This Is Your Life Arthur English This Is Your Life Arthur ENGLISH

18 January 1978

The comedian turned actor was surprised by Eamonn at London's Victoria and Albert Museum.
Arthur was a regular cast member of the BBC sitcom Are Your Being Served? - and the show's other cast members are all there, along with Arthur's colleagues from the ITV series, The Ghosts of Motley Hall, while entertainer Danny La Rue sends a recorded message.

     
     
Pat Coombs This Is Your Life Pat Coombs This Is Your Life Pat COOMBS

8 February 1978

The busy character actress - whose background was in radio but who became best known through her appearances in various television sitcoms - was surprised by Eamonn while filming on location for the ITV sitcom You're Only Young Twice – in a north London bingo hall! Among those paying tribute to Pat are fellow actresses Irene Handl and June Whitfield.

     
     
Andrew Sachs This Is Your Life Andrew Sachs This Is Your Life Andrew SACHS

2 January 1980

The actor - perhaps best known for his portrayal of the Spanish waiter Manuel in the BBC sitcom, Fawlty Towers - was surprised by Eamonn while signing copies of his newly released comedy record at the HMV store on London's Oxford Street. Among those paying tribute are actor Brian Rix, actor and playwright Ray Cooney and actress and singer Jessie Matthews.

     
     
Roy Kinnear This Is Your Life Roy Kinnear This Is Your Life Roy KINNEAR

13 February 1980

The character actor who found fame on the ground breaking satirical television show, That Was The Week That Was, was surprised by Eamonn in central London, with the help of his TW3 colleagues - who appear from the back of a van, as Roy leaves a rehearsal room with Willie Rushton. Actress Sheila Hancock and comedy actor Dick Emery join his tribute.

     
     
Peter Bowles This Is Your Life Peter Bowles This Is Your Life Peter BOWLES

5 November 1980

The actor - who became popular with the viewing public for his roles in the successful sitcoms Only When I Laugh and To The Manor Born - was surprised by Eamonn outside Burlington Arcade on London's Piccadilly.
Among those paying tribute to Peter are his fellow comedy actors Richard Briers and Leonard Rossiter.

     
     
Rodney Bewes This Is Your Life Rodney Bewes This Is Your Life Rodney BEWES

10 December 1980

Rodney's four children help Eamonn spring the surprise in central London by wearing t-shirts spelling out This Is Your Life!
The actor - best known as Bob in the BBC sitcom The Likely Lads - was greeted by puppet Basil Brush, actor Tom Courtenay, and writers of The Likely Lads, Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais.

     
     
Bill Owen This Is Your Life Bill Owen This Is Your Life Bill OWEN

7 January 1981

Eamonn - disguised as a policeman - caught Bill while filming a segment for the BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine in London's Trafalgar Square.
Among those paying tribute are actors Alfie Bass and Leonard Sachs as well as the residents and choral society of Holmfirth - the Yorkshire town where the BBC sitcom is filmed.

     
     
Melvyn Hayes This Is Your Life Melvyn Hayes This Is Your Life Melvyn HAYES

28 January 1981

Eamonn ambushed the curtain call of the pantomime Dick Whittington at the London Palladium, in order to surprise Melvyn - probably best known for his role as Gloria in the BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum.
Among those paying tribute to the comedy actor are fellow actors Richard O'Sullivan, Edward Woodward and Alfred Marks.

     
     
Paul Shane This Is Your Life Paul Shane This Is Your Life Paul SHANE

16 December 1981

Paul - undoubtedly best known for his role as Ted Bovis in the BBC sitcom Hi-Di-Hi - was surprised by Eamonn in London's Covent Garden.
Back at the Royalty Theatre Paul's colleagues from the popular sitcom, including Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc, were all there to pay tribute, along with Emmerdale's Stan Richards and comedian Sandy Powell.

     
     
Diane Keen This Is Your Life Diane Keen This Is Your Life Diane KEEN

17 November 1982

Diane's current ITV sitcom, Foxy Lady, was used as the basis of Eamonn's surprise - when he disguised himself as a newspaper vendor and presented her with headlines declaring: Diane Keen This Is Your Life!
Lewis Collins - Diane's co-star from her previous sitcom Cuckoo Waltz - sent greetings, as did Coronation Street's Pat Phoenix.

     
     
Nerys Hughes This Is Your Life Nerys Hughes This Is Your Life Nerys HUGHES

22 February 1984

Eamonn enlisted the help of co-stars, Polly James, Liz Estenson and Mollie Sugden, from the BBC sitcom The Liver Birds - perhaps Nerys' most famous role - to surprise the comedy actress at the reception desk of a London Hilton Hotel.
Actors Lynn Redgrave and Derek Nimmo are among those paying tribute.

     
     
Kathy Staff This Is Your Life Kathy Staff This Is Your Life Kathy STAFF

21 March 1984

The actress - known to television viewers as Nora Batty in the BBC's sitcom Last of the Summer Wine - was surprised by Eamonn in the London store Harrods - along with her colleagues from the ITV soap opera Crossroads, in which she plays cleaner Doris Luke.
Film director John Schlesinger sends a message, while Barbara Windsor greets Kathy in the studio.

     
     
Ruth Madoc This Is Your Life Ruth Madoc This Is Your Life Ruth MADOC

28 November 1984

Eamonn got himself involved in the recording of a sketch for Freddie Starr's forthcoming comedy show at Thames Television's Teddington Studios in order to surprise the actress. Ruth - currently appearing in the popular BBC sitcom Hi-Di-Hi - was greeted by many of her co-stars from the sitcom, including the shows writers and creators Jimmy Perry and David Croft.

     
     
Keith Barron This Is Your Life Keith Barron This Is Your Life Keith BARRON

9 January 1985

In a nod to Keith's role in the hit ITV sitcom Duty Free, set in a Spanish holiday resort, Eamonn dressed as a Spaniard to surprise the comedy actor at the curtain call of the pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at the Richmond Theatre.
Among those paying tribute to Keith are actresses Thora Hird and Susan Hampshire.

     
     
Felix Bowness This Is Your Life Felix Bowness This Is Your Life Felix BOWNESS

15 January 1986

Felix - a regular on the sitcom Hi-Di-Hi - is the warm up man for the This Is Your Life studio audience - and it was in this capacity that he was surprised.
The team had made sure that Felix's watch was running slow, so he didn't realise he was live on air when Eamonn appeared and retrieved the big red book from a shopping bag belonging to a lady on the front row!

     
     
Gorden Kaye This Is Your Life Gorden Kaye This Is Your Life Gorden KAYE

5 November 1986

The actor - who found fame as French cafe owner Rene in the BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo - was suprised by Eamonn at the curtain call of the show's stage version - at London's Prince of Wales Theatre, where the tribute was then recorded.
The show's cast are all there, while other guests include actor Christopher Timothy who brings along a piglet!

     
     
Su Pollard This Is Your Life Su Pollard This Is Your Life Su POLLARD

1 March 1989

Another star of the popular sitcom Hi-Di-Hi was surprised by Michael at the curtain call for the last night of the pantomime Dick Whittington at the Richmond Theatre, where the show was then recorded.
There was almost immediate chaos with Su's first guests, Bernie Winters and his dog Schnorbitz, when it was unclear who was supposed to sit where!

     
     
Jean Boht This Is Your Life Jean Boht This Is Your Life Jean BOHT

22 November 1989

Jean - perhaps most famous for her role as the Boswell family matriarch in the BBC sitcom Bread - was surprised by Michael, and her co-stars from the comedy, at London's Euston Station.
Among those paying tribute to Jean - who is married to and joined by composer Carl Davis - are Bread's creator Carla Lane and actress Lynda Bellingham.

     
     
Carmen Silvera This Is Your Life Carmen Silvera This Is Your Life Carmen SILVERA

30 January 1991

Michael surprised Carmen - best known for her role as Edith, the wife of cafe owner Rene, in the popular BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! - during a recording of the comedy.
The cast of the show join the tribute, with Carmen's screen husband Gorden Kaye sitting beside her on the set. Other guests include the actress Barbara Windsor.

     
     
Richard Briers This Is Your Life Richard Briers This Is Your Life Richard BRIERS

9 March 1994

Michael interrupted an interview in the UK Living studio at Thames Television Teddington Studios to surprise Richard - best known for his role as Tom Good in the popular BBC sitcom The Good Life.
For this, his second This Is Your Life tribute, Richard was greeted by actor John Thaw, playwright Ray Cooney and film director Harold French.

     
     
Lesley Joseph This Is Your Life Lesley JosephThis Is Your Life Lesley JOSEPH

4 January 1995

Lesley was surprised by Michael at The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, at a curtain call for the pantomime Dick Whittington.
Lesley is greeted by her co-stars from the popular BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather - Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke along with the comedy's writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran.

     
     
June Whitfield This Is Your Life June Whitfield This Is Your Life June WHITFIELD

8 March 1995

Michael caught the comedy actress - for her second This Is Your Life tribute - during a dubbing session for the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous at the BBC Television Centre.
June was reunited with her co-stars from various television and radio series, including Reg Varney, Roy Hudd and Leslie Crowther.

     
     
Trevor Bannister This Is Your Life Trevor Bannister This Is Your Life Trevor BANNISTER

22 December 1997

Michael interrupts another pantomime curtain call - this time Jack and the Beanstalk at Redhill's Harlequin Theatre - to surprise the actor best known for his role as Mr Lucas in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served?
Playwright Ray Cooney greets Trevor in the studio while Hollywood actors Tony Randall and Jack Klugman send a recorded message.

     
     
Brian Murphy This Is Your Life Brian Murphy This Is Your Life Brian MURPHY

5 January 1998

Several of Brian's former colleagues assist Michael in surprising him at the King's Head Theatre pub in London's Islington. Brian - best known to viewers for his role as George Roper in the ITV sitcoms Man About The House and George and Mildred, is reunited with his co-stars from those programmes, Richard O'Sullivan and Paula Wilcox.

     
     
Frank Thornton This Is Your Life Frank Thornton This Is Your Life Frank THORNTON

19 October 1998

Frank - best known for his role as Captain Peacock in the BBC sitcom Are You Being Served? - was surprised by Michael during a British Comedy Society dinner at Pinewood Studios.
Paying tribute to Frank are actors Dulcie Gray and Donald Sinden, while entertainer Danny La Rue and actress June Whitfield send recorded messages.

     
     
George Layton This Is Your Life George Layton This Is Your Life George LAYTON

18 January 1999

The actor and screenwriter - best remembered for his roles in the sitcom Doctor in the House and the subsequent spin-offs - was surprised by Michael during a photo shoot at Holborn Studios in north London.
George - who met his wife at a This Is Your Life party - is greeted by, among others, theatre producer Bill Kenwright.

     
     
Bill Pertwee This Is Your Life Bill Pertwee This Is Your Life Bill PERTWEE

1 February 1999

The team gather at London's Imperial War Museum where Michael enlists the help of Bill's former colleague, Ian Lavender, from the BBC sitcom Dad's Army, to help surprise the comedy actor - best known as ARP Warden Hodges in the long-running series.
Among those paying tribute to Bill are fellow actors Bill Maynard, Bernard Cribbins and Paul Shane.

     
     
Ian Lavender This Is Your Life Ian Lavender This Is Your Life Ian LAVENDER

7 March 2002

After assisting Michael surprise his Dad's Army colleague, Bill Pertwee, Ian - who played Private Pike in the BBC sitcom - was himself caught out while dining in a central London restaurant. The programme is in part a Dad's Army reunion, with actor Clive Dunn and co-creator and producer David Croft both contributing, while musician Rick Wakeman also pays tribute.

     
     
Brigit Forsyth This Is Your Life Brigit Forsyth This Is Your Life Brigit FORSYTH

24 April 2002

Brigit - best remembered for her role as Thelma in BBC television's Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads - was surprised by Michael at BBC Broadcasting House.
Among those paying tribute are actors James Ellis and Elizabeth Spriggs and writers of The Likely Lads, Dick Clement and Ian Le Frenais.