This is your life

[quizling]

Does anyone know the first sportsman who was a "victim" please.

I can only find the ITV archives and it goes back to 1955

[dml54]

This was answered a little while ago - think the answer given was Eamonn Andrews who was a boxer.

[GMH]

The Internet Movie Database could have the answer.

There used to be a list on the Unofficial Thames website, but that seems to have gone, which is just as well if you are talking pre-1969.

[GMH]

Eamonn Andrews became the first star guest to appear on This is Your Life when American host Ralph Edwards specially hosted it on the BBC in 1955, presumably "officially handing over" the job from him to Andrews. He presented it from the following week onwards for over 30 years.

Eamonn Andrews was also one of the few people to have the Big Red Book treatment twice when David Nixon surprised him on one of the Thames shows. It was the final episode in the 1973-1974 series.

[Alibobs]

Dick Francis (jockey) was an early victim I seem to remember but this is only a hunch

[Big Al1st]

The reason why Eamonn Andrews was the first guest was because Stanley Mathews was supposed to be the first one. However details leaked out and so the BBC turned the tables on Andrews in order to get a show out. Stil thinking about the first sportsman as I have seen it somewhere but cant remember where.

[quizling]

Thank you all, I think you've convinced me that it's Eamonn Andrews