This Is Your Life will reportedly return after two decades, with a woman as host for the first time.
The biographical TV show aired its last series in 2003, with a one-off special in 2007, but is said to be returning.
Watch the host surprise a guest before telling his life story with the help of a big red book.
The program was previously presented by Eamonn Andrews from its inception in 1955 until his death, before being taken over by Michael Aspel.
Sun reports that bosses are in talks to bring back the beloved series with a big-name new presenter, with Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Fiona Bruce said to be in the running.
This Is Your Life will reportedly return after two decades, with a woman as host for the first time (Michael Aspel pictured from the show)
The Sun reports that bosses are in talks to bring back the beloved series with a big-name new presenter, with Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Fiona Bruce said to be in the running (Kate and Susanna pictured in 2019).
The biographical TV show aired its last series in 2003 and sees the presenter surprise a guest before telling him his life story with the help of a big red book (Michael pictured with Paul Young on the show).
A TV source told the publication: ‘There’s a reason This Is Your Life aired for so many years: as a format, it’s perfect. It’s warm, entertaining and interesting, plus it’s quite affordable to make, which of course helps.
‘Since it was last properly published in 2003, many more celebrities now deserve the big red book treatment. It was always a great honor to appear, bosses are confident that a whole new generation of stars will receive a surprise visit from the team.
‘Discussions are ongoing with a number of potential hosts with a view to starting work later this year. A warm and professional interviewer like Susanna or Fiona is seen as the safe hand to lead the next generation of the programme.’
The source added: “Talks are in the early stages and discussions are ongoing with various channels.”
This Is Your Life previously aired on both the BBC and ITV and ran for 43 seasons, featuring a host of celebrities including Dudley Moore and Matt Busby.
While the guests were primarily celebrities, the show also featured ordinary people, including military personnel, the clergy, and people who had performed extraordinary community or charitable service.
They were surprised and then taken to a studio with an audience made up of their friends and family, as well as other famous faces who had been important in the star’s life.
The show depended on the element of surprise, and shows were canceled if a guest found out in advance.
A source said: ‘A warm, professional interviewer like Susanna or Fiona is seen as the safe hands to lead the next generation of the show’ (Fiona pictured in 2022)
This Is Your Life previously aired on both the BBC and ITV and ran for 43 seasons, featuring a host of celebrities including Dudley Moore and Matt Busby (Liz Dawn pictured).
The show depended on the element of surprise, and shows were canceled if a guest found out in advance. Ronnie Barker (pictured) was due to appear until he began to suspect his wife was having an affair and made her spill the beans on her.
Ronnie Barker was to be a theme, and his wife Joy Tubb helped bosses set it up.
However, the late comedian revealed in his autobiography that his wife’s secret made him suspect she was having an affair.
The upset star confronted Joy and she was forced to tell him the truth about the show, meaning Ronnie’s appearance was axed.
In 2018, a reboot of the show was rumored, with Jonathan Ross as host, and several changes were due to be made.
These included including more behind-the-scenes footage of the planning stage for which guests would be chosen and then how to organize their surprise.
While the reboot never came to fruition, Richard Osman let slip that another attempt to resurrect the show was recently on the way.
A reboot of the show was rumored in 2018, with Jonathan Ross as host, and several changes were due to be made (Jonathan pictured last week).
Ant and Dec (pictured last week) used the show’s concept on Saturday Night Takeaway, to mark their 25th anniversary of partnership, with Michael returning with Ashley Roberts as host.
Speaking on his podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment, he said: “I got a message from a big-name TV presenter saying they’d just been offered a This Is Your Life reboot.”
Ant and Dec presented a parody version of the show on The Chris Moyles Show in 2012, to celebrate Chris Moyle’s departure from BBC Radio 1, with special guests Billie Piper, Roy Walker and Gary Barlow.
The Geordie duo then used the concept again on Saturday Night Takeaway, to mark their 25th anniversary of partnership, with Michael returning with Ashley Roberts as host.