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By Sheer coincidence....or not!!! Michael Aspel also presented Crackerjack within a few years of Eamon moving on - Work related conspiracy?????!grin!

Finished years ago im sure it was moved back to the BBC in 01 i think

Eamon Andrews was a boxer then boxing commentator who shrewdly bought the rights to the "This is Your Life" show from the american originators. Originally the show used to "pick up" the subject by having a disguised Eamon waylaying the subject and then bringing them to the studio audience. After Blanchflowers refusal these pick ups were pre recorded so that in the event of a refusal they would run a pre recorded show if not the body of the show was live.
The show was originally on BBC until Eamon and sufficiently popular that he was bought out by ITV with the offer of other shows like "The Eamon Andrews Show" which was a bit like a prototype "Johnathon Ross Show". It was broadcast live from a london studio in an era when England and London in particular was swinging. I remember a tremendous show with a pissed Spike Milligan taking the piss out of Mohammed Ali. Various members of the Beatles and the Stones would also turn up.
In the late '70's Eamon was earning a grand an appearance (4 times a week) on top of his other fees to present "Today" the Thames TV london news magazine, probably best remembered now for the Sex Pistol , Bill Grundy debacle.
As for TIYL it retained the myth of spontaneity even though in later years the celebrity shows were more planned. For instance Bob Hope was asked to appear and accepted on the basis that he was shown the script and approved the guests before hand. Morecambe and Wise made it known on their move to Thames that they would not appear.
After moving to Independent Tv the shows became more celebrity dependent having originally included a mix of less well known people who had interesting stories. After Eamon Andrews death the franchise was hosted by Michael Aspel and I believe eventually moved back to BBC.
I think it would be difficult to stage these days as celebrities are more media savvy and wouldn't want to be ambushed in the way that was the shows main gimmick, and the ordinary folk as not seen as worthwhile subjects.
I dare say the franchise is still running somewhere.

Muswell,
Thank you for your detailed information. I think that it would make a really good adult entertainment show. Imagine getting some model and then ...bringing on all the guys who have fucked her. This is your life baby...!cool!
Mike.