This Is Your Life: Wendy Craig

Wendy CRAIG (1934-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Wendy Craig, actress, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews while posing for a family portrait at a photographer's studio in Chelsea, London.

Wendy, who was born in County Durham and first began acting while still at school, spent time with Darlington Repertory Theatre before training with the Central School of Dramatic Art in London. She made her West End debut in 1955 and initially worked on stage, but later appeared in several films, including The Servant in 1965, in a role which won her a BAFTA nomination for Best Promising Newcomer.

She appeared regularly on television throughout the 1960s and, from 1967, starred in the BBC sitcom Not in Front of the Children as Jennifer, a scatty middle-class housewife, a role which made her a household name and won her the BAFTA for Best TV Actress of 1969.

"You're joking!"

programme details...

Edition No: 268
Subject No: 270
Broadcast date: Wed 11 Feb 1970
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Wed 4 Feb 1970
Venue: Euston Road Studios
Series: 10
Edition: 12

on the guest list...

Jack Bentley - husband
Richard Harris
Anne - mother
Allistair - brother
Margaret Marshall
Arthur Crisp
Charles Simon
Ann Johnson
Richard Waring
Harry Secombe
Alaster - son
Ross - son
pupils of County Durham High School
Dirk Bogarde

production team...

Researchers: Jack Crawshaw, Mary McAnally
Writer: John Sandilands
Director: Margery Baker
Producer: Robert Tyrrell

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

The Good Life

the sitcom stars

Life Is Full Of Surprises

Producer Robert Tyrrell reveals some 'cloak and dagger' tactics

Richard Harris

Harry Secombe

Screenshots of Wendy Craig This Is Your Life

Wendy Craig recalls her experience of This Is Your Life in this exclusive contribution to the BigRedBook website…

It was all a complete surprise. I knew nothing about it until it unfolded. Of course that's probably the best way. I didn't have time to worry and get myself in a state. I'd come home from a rehearsal and found that my husband, Jack Bentley, was back early from the office. Before I had time to take my coat off he said "Wendy they want you to do some publicity photos early this evening so could you put on something pretty and get made-up and ready, a car will pick us up and take us to the photographers at five o'clock".

Needless to say I wasn't very happy about this. I'd had a hard day at work and was looking forward to seeing the children and having a quiet evening at home. To top it all I hated having my photograph taken so the thought of having to get all dolled up and go out to a totally unwanted engagement was infuriating.

At first I point blank refused but Jack was strangely insistent and would brook no argument. He assured me it was a very famous photographer and I was lucky to have been chosen to model for him.

The chauffeur arrived and I was reluctantly whisked up to London for the second time that day, this time with Jack. I was still in a bit of a sulk and the chauffeur must have been baffled by this moody petulant woman whom he'd previously known as a jolly mum on the telly.

We were shown into the studio and the assistant ushered me to a chair in front of the camera. "Can't I even comb my hair?" I asked, wondering why I hadn't been introduced to this famous photographer. He was under a cloth peering through the lens. Suddenly the cloth flew up and clutching a large red book was Eamonn Andrews. "Wendy Craig" he announced... "This Is Your Life".

I almost fell off the stool in amazement and for a moment I was utterly stunned. Then I became aware of a camera crew lurking in the gloom filming the scene so pulling myself together I laughed and accepted my fate, secretly feeling flattered and thrilled to have been chosen and a little ashamed of my previous churlish behaviour.

I think the thing that baffled me most was how my husband kept this secret from me for so long without my having the slightest suspicion of what was brewing. This was in the days when there were no mobiles nor emails so it would have been difficult to hide phone calls and letters. Should I ever trust him again? He'd certainly done an amazing job. The assistant was now anxious to get us to the studio to record the programme but I was thoroughly embarrassed because I hated the dress I was wearing and begged to be allowed a pretty dress for the programme. My husband Jack promised he'd go back and find the frock I wanted and bring it to the studio in time for me to change. So eventually I calmed down and put myself into the hands of the director.

It turned out to be a wonderful experience seeing my family and friends appear one by one from the waiting room where they'd been hidden from me. They must have been very nervous having travelled down from the north and never having appeared on the telly before. I found it so moving to see my darling Mum and brother completely out of their comfort zone facing a studio audience and cameras. They were so brave.

Sadly, I can't watch the DVD now because it makes me sad. My husband, my mother and my brother have died as have others who took part so it's too painful to view, but I'm glad it happened and proud to have been chosen as one of Eamonn's victims.

It was an unforgettable experience and who knows, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren might find it amusing and of interest one day.

Series 10 subjects