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The Archive Hour: This Is Your Life

BBC Radio 4
on BBC Radio 4 FM

This month is the 50th anniversary of This Is Your Life. Barry Cryer tells the story of the programme that began on American television in October 1952. He recalls celebrity appearances, from Laurel and Hardy to Douglas Bader, and talks to current presenter Michael Aspel. He also discovers the secret codes and devices that keep people in the dark, and meets some of the "victims", including Bill Oddie and Max Bygraves.

The Archive Hour 8.00pm R4
Tonight's programme celebrates the 50th anniversary of This Is Your Life but, just for the record, the series actually started on radio back in 1948. Barry Cryer, himself a recipient of the "big red book", looks at how celebrities and "ordinary people" are lured into the studio. In the case of Oliver Hardy, featured tonight, he was so shocked he "couldn't eat for a week". Hmmm. (Jane Anderson)

Contributors

Presenter:
Barry Cryer
Interviewee:
Michael Aspel
Interviewee:
Bill Oddie
Interviewee:
Max Bygraves
Producer:
Anne Bristow
Source: Radio Times

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