Top of the Pops
This Is Your Life Top of the Pops feature
Tommy Steele This Is Your Life Tommy Steele This Is Your Life Tommy STEELE

27 October 1958

Eamonn surprised the singer, who was branded 'Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star', at the BBC Television Theatre.
Tommy - who taught himself the guitar and was introduced to rock and roll on a trip to America while in the Merchant Navy - was greeted by composer Lionel Bart and television producer Ernest Maxin.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book

Jack GOOD

18 March 1970

The television and record producer - responsible for the pioneering music shows Six-Five Special and Oh Boy! - was surprised by Eamonn at the Olympic Sound Studios in Barnes, London.

Among those paying tribute to Jack are British pop stars Joe Brown, Marty Wilde and Cliff Richard, while American singer Andy Williams contributes via telephone.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Joe BROWN

23 December 1970

The singer and musician - who formed his first band, a skiffle group called The Spacemen, in 1956 - was surprised by Eamonn while rehearsing for the pantomime Dick Whittington at Golder's Green's Odeon Theatre in London.
The record and television producer Jack Good and the actress Anna Neagle are on the guest list.

     
     
  This Is Your Life Big Red Book Peter NOONE

31 March 1971

The singer and actor - best known as the lead singer of the successful 1960s pop group Herman's Hermits - was surprised by Eamonn during the programme's second series produced by Thames Television.

     
     
Adam Faith This Is Your Life Adam Faith This Is Your Life Adam FAITH

28 April 1971

The actor and former teen idol, who was one of the most charted acts of the 1960s, was surprised by Eamonn while filming on location in London for the ITV series Budgie.
Adam's guests in the studio include singer Sandie Shaw and actress Dame Sybil Thorndike, while singers Connie Francis, Cliff Richard and Phil Everly send recorded messages.

     
     
Lulu This Is Your Life Lulu This Is Your Life Lulu

10 May 1972

The Scottish singer and actress was surprised by Eamonn as she entered a darkened Studio 5 in Thames Television's Euston Road Studios.
Lulu's husband, Maurice Gibb, is in attendance with his Bee Gees brothers, while actor Sidney Poitier - who starred with Lulu in the movie To Sir With Love - pays tribute via a recorded message.

     
     
George Martin This Is Your Life George Martin This Is Your Life George MARTIN

30 January 1980

The legendary record producer and musician - forever associated with The Beatles - was surprised by Eamonn outside the New London Theatre.
Paul McCartney paid a tribute via video, while George was greeted in person by guests from all areas of music and show business, including Matt Monro, Bernard Cribbins and Irene Handl.

     
     
Mickie Most This Is Your Life Mickie Most This Is Your Life Mickie MOST

31 December 1981

The highly successful record producer - responsible at the time for such recording artists as Donovan and Suzi Quatro - was surprised by Eamonn at BBC Broadcasting House. In an extended edition Mickie was joined by his colleagues from the television talent show New Faces, including Marti Caine, while other tributes came from Lulu, Little Richard and Peter Cook.

     
     
Marty Wilde This Is Your Life Marty Wilde This Is Your Life Marty WILDE

15 December 1982

Eamonn surprised the singer songwriter outside the Royalty Theatre, after pursuing Marty in a fast car driven by his pop star daughter, Kim.
Record producer Mickie Most, singer Billy Fury and American dancer Chita Rivera are among the guests paying tribute to the singer who released his first record in 1957.

     
     
Bob Geldof This Is Your Life Bob Geldof This Is Your Life Bob GELDOF

16 January 1985

Eamonn surprised the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats at the Royalty Theatre. Bob co-founded the charity group Band Aid with Midge Ure, and together they organised the concert Live Aid to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Many of the artists who were part of Live Aid appear on the show, including Sting and Paul Young.

     
     
Alvin Stardust This Is Your Life Alvin Stardust This Is Your Life Alvin STARDUST

13 March 1985

The singer and actor was signing autographs for fans outside Thames Television's Euston Road Studios when Eamonn surprised him.
The guests on the show range from contemporary pop stars to star names from the 1960s - when Alvin was known as Shane Fenton - and include Acker Bilk, Frank Ifield and Noddy Holder.

     
     
Richard Branson This Is Your Life Richard Branson This Is Your Life Richard BRANSON

20 November 1985

Richard - who had launched his own record label in 1972 - was surprised when Eamonn, dressed as a pirate, invaded his houseboat on London's Regent Canal. Among those greeting the entrepreneur are Phil Collins, Suggs and multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield - whose debut album Tubular Bells was the first release for Richard's Virgin Records.

     
     
Gerry Marsden This Is Your Life Gerry Marsden This Is Your Life Gerry MARSDEN

18 December 1985

Gerry and the Pacemakers were contemporaries of The Beatles, with hits such as Ferry Cross the Mersey and You'll Never Walk Alone.
Eamonn presented Gerry with the Big Red Book in the car park of Thames Television's Teddington Studios for a star-studded edition, which included musician Rick Wakeman and actress Anna Neagle.

     
     
Chas n Dave This Is Your Life Chas n Dave This Is Your Life CHAS n DAVE

31 December 1985

The pop rock duo - known for their 'rockney' pub singalongs such as Rabbit and Ain't No Pleasing You - were surprised by Eamonn - disguised in a ginger beard - while performing a gig in a London pub.
A live link with comedians Cannon and Ball provides more humour than intended when the sound fails to work!

     
     
Phil Collins This Is Your Life Phil Collins This Is Your Life Phil COLLINS

26 October 1988

For his first This Is Your Life edition as host, Michael disguised himself as a tramp in order to surprise the musician and singer in the middle of London's Covent Garden.
Tributes to the Genesis band member and actor come from businessman Richard Branson, musician Bob Geldof and, via a letter, HRH Prince Charles.

     
     
The Bee Gees This Is Your Life The Bee Gees This Is Your Life The BEE GEES

20 February 1991

Brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb - remembered as the foremost act of the late 1970s disco era - were surprised by Michael while being interviewed by disc jockey Steve Wright on his Radio 1 programme at BBC Broadcasting House.
The tribute includes recorded messages from Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson.

     
     
Helen Shapiro This Is Your Life Helen Shapiro This Is Your Life Helen SHAPIRO

17 May 1995

The singer - who soared to international fame at the age of 14 - was surprised by Michael outside Thames Television's Teddington Studios. Originally a singer of pop songs, Helen has admitted her first love is jazz. Musicians Humphrey Lyttelton and George Melly, and pop singer Cliff Richard pay tribute, and the show ends with Helen singing out over the credits.

     
     
Toyah Willcox This Is Your Life Toyah Willcox This Is Your Life Toyah WILLCOX

4 October 1996

Toyah - the actress, singer and star of the 1970s punk rock and new wave music scene who had hits such as It's a Mystery and I Want to Be Free - was surprised by Michael while filming on location at an office block on London's Albert Embankment.
Paying tribute are dancer Wayne Sleep and actors Ron Moody and Leslie Ash.

     
     
Noddy Holder This Is Your Life Noddy Holder This Is Your Life Noddy HOLDER

20 December 1996

The musician and actor - best known as the frontman of rock band Slade - was surprised by Michael on the actual set of This Is Your Life at the BBC studios in Manchester.
Among those greeting Noddy are singers Toyah Willcox and Suzi Quatro and the lead singer of rock band Wizzard, Roy Wood.

     
     
Justin Hayward This Is Your Life Justin Hayward This Is Your Life Justin HAYWARD

10 March 1997

The musician and singer-songwriter with the rock band The Moody Blues was surprised by Michael during the press launch of his new album at the Petersham Hotel in Richmond.
Justin's guests include singers Kim and Marty Wilde, composer and lyricist Lionel Bart and comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.

     
     
Cheryl Baker This Is Your Life Cheryl Baker This Is Your Life Cheryl BAKER

17 November 1997

Michael caught up with the television presenter - and former singer with the Eurovision-winning pop group Bucks Fizz - on board the Flamant Rose in London's St Katharine's Dock.
Cheryl's guests include athlete Kriss Akabusi, presenter Peter Purves, former stunt performer Eddie Kidd and comedy double act Hale and Pace.

     
     
Errol Brown This Is Your Life Errol Brown This Is Your Life Errol BROWN

24 November 1997

Michael surprised the lead singer of pop group Hot Chocolate during a personal appearance at the HMV store on London's Oxford Street – on his birthday!
Among those paying tribute to Errol - who with his group had such hits as You Sexy Thing and So You Win Again - are Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, cricketer Clive Lloyd and musician Bill Wyman.

     
     
Rick Wakeman This Is Your Life Rick Wakeman This Is Your Life Rick WAKEMAN

30 November 1998

The keyboardist, composer and songwriter – formerly with the progressive rock band Yes – was surprised by Michael at the BBC Television Centre whilst appearing as a guest on the light entertainment show The Generation Game.
Rick's guests include the actors John Inman, Norman Wisdom and Eric Sykes, and flown in from Hollywood, Howard Keel.

     
     
Suzi Quatro This Is Your Life Suzi Quatro This Is Your Life Suzi QUATRO

22 February 1999

Suzi - the first female bass player to become a major rock star - was surprised by Michael at the end of a concert at the London Palladium.
Among those paying tribute to the American singer-songwriter - whose hits include Devil Gate Drive and Can the Can - are fellow musicians Alvin Stardust, Noddy Holder, Roy Wood and Chrissie Hynde.

     
     
Martin Kemp This Is Your Life Martin Kemp This Is Your Life Martin KEMP

13 November 1999

The actor and former member of the 1980s New Romantic pop group Spandau Ballet, was surprised by Michael in the Queen Vic on the set of the BBC television soap opera, Eastenders, and was treated to an extra edition which was broadcast during a prime slot on a Saturday evening. Martin's guests include singers Bob Geldof and George Michael.

     
     
Suggs This Is Your Life Suggs This Is Your Life SUGGS

17 April 2000

The front man for those nutty boys Madness was surprised by Michael during a recording of the BBC's quiz show, A Question of Pop.
Suggs - whose real name is Graham McPherson - was greeted by his fellow band members as well as singer Boy George, musician Jools Holland and members of the Chelsea football team.

     
     
Midge Ure This Is Your Life Midge Ure This Is Your Life Midge URE

28 March 2001

Midge - the former lead singer of Ultravox who with Bob Geldof co-wrote and produced the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? - was surprised by Michael during a radio show at BBC Broadcasting House.
Midge is greeted by singer Paul Young, BBC journalist Michael Buerk and renowned record producer Sir George Martin.

     
     
Paul Jones This Is Your Life Paul Jones This Is Your Life Paul JONES

11 April 2001

The singer, actor and broadcaster - perhaps best remembered for his involvement with the successful 1960s pop group Manfred Mann - was surprised by Michael during his live radio show at BBC Broadcasting House.
Paul's guests include singers Marti Webb and Cliff Richard and lyricist Tim Rice.

     
     
Paul Young This Is Your Life Paul Young This Is Your Life Paul YOUNG

5 December 2001

Michael surprised the singer - known for his smooth yet soulful voice - at the end of a 'Here And Now' concert at Wembley Arena.
Paul, who took part in the 1985 fundraising event Live Aid, was greeted by the event's organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, and also received recorded messages from singers Chaka Khan and Bobby Womack.

     
     
Mike Rutherford This Is Your Life Mike Rutherford This Is Your Life Mike RUTHERFORD

23 January 2003

Michael surprised the singer and guitarist outside Thames Television's Teddington Studios, with the help of his Genesis band member - and former This Is Your Life subject - Phil Collins. Among those paying tribute to Mike - who formed his first band in 1965 - are musician Peter Gabriel, racing driver Damon Hill, broadcaster Chris Tarrant and rugby player Will Carling.

     
     
Simon Cowell This Is Your Life Simon Cowell This Is Your Life Simon COWELL

12 June 2003

Michael travelled to the recording studios of record producer and fellow Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman, who then helped spring the surprise on the music executive.
Among those paying tribute are pop group Westlife, film director Michael Winner and actor David Hasselhoff. This was the last ever edition of This Is Your Life that Michael Aspel recorded.

     

* the pre-1970 subjects were surprised by a different coloured book - see the Big Red Book feature for full details