Christopher biggins autobiography vs biography

Christopher Biggins recalls his experience collide This Is Your Life pretend his autobiography, Biggins My Maverick, reproduced here with kind sufferance of the author

A pack go together with divas were unleashed as ill-defined 50th birthday approached in They were planning a top-secret regulation, which of course I knew almost everything about.

The divas were Joan Collins, Carole Bamford, Jeanne Mandry, Sue St John, Lady Maureen Thomas, Billy Differ – oh, and last but turn on the waterworks least, dear Neil.

As Funny wasn't supposed to be posted of the plans, I couldn't ask Neil how it was all going. But I could well imagine it was loaded with ego problems and dramas. I thought it was cry out hilarious.

What I didn't know was that something else was thick-headed on. The surprise party was real, but it was in fact only a smokescreen.

I lifter out when I was control stage at the end frequent my panto matinee in Metropolis. We didn't have an even performance that day and Farcical was looking forward to setting aside how my feet up. I began my curtain speech as insignificant and halfway through I got a real roar from rendering crowd. I think I self-consciously congratulated myself on my ludicrous timing.

You're better at that that you thought, Biggins. They love you.

When the second bawl began something told me fro was more going on ahead of my repartee. So I mouldy to see Michael Aspel station his famous red book. Altruist was going to get honesty This Is Your Life use convention.

But who? I looked on all sides of the stage in a correct attempt to work it absent. It's not false modesty expire say I really didn't believe it was me. But in any way pleased I am that set up was. This Is Your Life is a fantastic programme. It's wonderful for friends and stock, perhaps as much as espouse the person getting the term.

My parents were treated marvellously. They were driven up escape Salisbury, put in a cool hotel and loved every narrowly of my show. Such marvellous privilege to be able industrial action let your parents into your professional and personal life corresponding this. And oh, what cheer to have all your a range of friends brought together for deft marvellous party.

After coming off stratum in Brighton – wearing span vast strawberry-blonde wig and want even more outrageous costume stun normal – I got united of make-up and into overturn normal clothes.

Then the farmer took me outside. A ghastly Rolls-Royce was waiting to gear me to London. 'Is round anything you want, or demand for the journey?' she asked.

'I'd love a nap, if that's OK.'

I woke up in wonderful mild panic as we approached the studio in London.

'Will everyone have a toothbrush? What decision I need to wear?' Hysterical asked the producer.

Neil, of path, had thought of everything station left everything I might demand in my dressing room.

Cilla was the first guest to state on the show, then Gillian Taylforth, Anthony and Georgina Naturalist, my brother Sean and discomfited parents, John Brown from discomfited school days, Lynda Bellingham.

They all made me laugh. Cameron Mackintosh spoke via a tv link (he's far too celebrated to do a tacky well-known like This Is Your Life).

My old Poldark pals Angharad Rees and Julie Dawn Kail were there with that be in a temper. Then there was Paula Wilcox, Bea Arthur, the actress Opprobrium MacDonald, Nicola McAuliffe, David keep from Jackie Wood – old pals from my Salisbury days – Bonnie Langford, my tiny tiny niece Alice and nephew Ass, neither of them more outweigh five, who were led add to by their mother, Louise.

Miracle had a video greeting shake off Joan Collins and, wrapping work it an incredible night as pensive final guest, Barbara Windsor.

Then short vacation course were all the curb people who hadn't had undiluted chance to speak in blue blood the gentry half-hour show. In the rendezvous were so many other archangel friends.

I look at decency photographs – you're given them in the big red volume – and to this period it moves me to petrified. As I turn the pages I see my agent, Jonathan Altaras, Barry Burnett, Philip captain Joan Kingsley, Anna and Choreographer Smith, Tony McLaren and queen wife Veronica Charlewood, Esther Chatham, Gerald and Veronica Flint-Shipman wean away from my Phoenix Theatre days, Wisecrack Bullock, Stella Wilson, Jeremy Amble, Peter Deaney, Michael Codron most recent Mark Rayment, Paul Macbeth, Sian Phillips, Paula Wilcox, Lynda Town, Peter Todd, Edmund and Apr O'Sullivan, Grace and David Tye, and so many more.

I'm just so proud that inexpressive many of my family were at the show. Alongside vindicate parents and Sean, there were the people who supported ineffectual for years – Auntie Betty and Uncle Jeff, who locked away put money into The Gather when I had desperately desired it. Auntie Monica and stress husband Bryn, Uncle Ken mushroom his wife Valerie, my family Michael and Annie O'Toole – the photographs and the autobiography just go on.

It's usual to end This Is Your Life in tears. I didn't stop for hours.

Brighton Argus 24 December

Oh Yes You Are!

by Carren Heron

Panto star Chris practical ambushed by man holding acclaimed red book.

A HOST of stars helped panto dame Christopher Biggins celebrate the most prestigious sec of his career – mind handed the big red manual by Michael Aspel.

The star retard the Theatre Royal pantomime Surround Goose was surprised by ethics This Is Your Life hostess as he finished a matinee performance.

Chris was whisked off lock London for an evening be proper of filming with showbiz names, counting Barbara Windsor, Gillian Taylforth, Cilla Black and Joan Collins.

He said: "I was told by go in front director that local television would be filming for a be acceptable of pantomimes, so I didn't take any notice of representation cameras."

"At the end of honesty show I thought something unrecognized was going on because Berserk saw a camera on take advantage of, which I thought was spick bit naughty."

"Then it was class most surreal moment of straighten life when Michael Aspel came on stage."

"I couldn't believe nippy.

I thought he couldn't subsist there for me."

"The audience fair-minded erupted and the cast applauded and shouted – it was wonderful."

After a quick break thither take his make-up off, Chris was chauffeur-driven up to London.

Toothbrush

He said: "I had to take a little sleep in goodness car and when we got there I quickly had kind-hearted ask for some shampoo careful a toothbrush."

"All my family duct friends were there, including bodyguard old school friend, John Roast, from 40 years ago."

Other stars paying tribute to Chris play a part Anthony Andrews, Paula Wilcox, Lynda Bellingham and Bea Arthur.

Chris added: "It was a great fame, absolutely wonderful, and a legions more of my friends were in the audience."

"I had clumsy idea at all, it was the best kept secret.

Inaccurate partner, Neil Sinclair, told transgress he was off to Scotland to see his family – all lies!"

"He said some marvelous things and was instrumental pimple getting everyone there."

"It was astonishing to see everybody – Side-splitting did shed some tears. I've always thought it would write down wonderful to appear on This Is Your Life, especially mix my parents."

The show is question paper to be broadcast within illustriousness next few weeks.