This Is Your Life is reportedly set to return after two decades, with a woman to host for the first time.
The biographical TV show aired its final series in 2003, with a one-off special in 2007, but is said to be making a comeback.
It sees the host surprise a guest before taking them through their life story with the assistance of a big red book.
The show was previously hosted by Eamonn Andrews from the start in 1955 until his death, before being taken over by Michael Aspel.
The Sun reports that bosses are in talks to bring back the beloved series with a new big name host, with Susanna Reid, Kate Garraway and Fiona Bruce all said to be in the running.
This Is Your Life is reportedly set to return after two decades, with a woman to host for the first time (Michael Aspel pictured on show)
The Sun reports that bosses are in talks to bring back the beloved series with a new big name host, with Susanna Reid , Kate Garraway and Fiona Bruce all said to be in the running (Kate and Susanna pictured in 2019)
The biographical TV show aired its final series in 2003, and sees the host surprise a guest before taking them through their life story with the assistance of a big red book (Michael pictured with Paul Young on show)
A TV source told the publication: ‘There is a reason This Is Your Life aired for so many years – as a format, it is perfect. It’s warm, entertaining and interesting plus is fairly affordable to make, which of course helps.
‘Since it last ran properly in 2003 many more celebrities are now worthy of the big, red book treatment. It was always such an honour to appear, bosses are confident a whole new generation of stars will embrace a surprise visit from the team.
‘Discussions are underway with a number of potential hosts with a view to getting work underway later this year. A warm, professional interviewer like Susanna or Fiona are seen as the safe hands to steer the next generation of the show.’
The source added: ‘Talks are in early stages and discussions ongoing with a number of channels.’
This Is Your Life formerly aired on both the BBC and ITV and ran for 43 seasons, with a huge number of celebrities appearing, 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 made extraordinary community or charity service.
They were surprised and then brought to a studio with an audience of their friends and family, as well as other famous faces, who had been important in the star’s life.
The show was hinged on the surprise element, with shows being cancelled if a guest found out ahead of time.
A source said: ‘A warm, professional interviewer like Susanna or Fiona are seen as the safe hands to steer the next generation of the show’ (Fiona pictured in 2022)
This Is Your Life formerly aired on both the BBC and ITV and ran for 43 seasons, with a huge number of celebrities appearing, including Dudley Moore and Matt Busby (Liz Dawn pictured)
The show was hinged on the surprise element, with shows being cancelled if a guest found out ahead of time. Ronnie Barker (pictured) was set to appear until he began to suspect his wife was having an affair and made her spill the beans
Ronnie Barker has been due to be a subject, with his wife Joy Tubb helping bosses set it up.
However, the late comedian revealed in his autobiography that his wife’s secrecy caused him to suspect she was having an affair.
The upset star confronted Joy and she was forced to spill the beans about the show, meaning Ronnie’s appearance was axed.
A reboot of the show had been rumoured back in 2018, with Jonathan Ross tipped to host and several changes to be made.
These included including more behind the scenes footage of the planning stage for which guests would be picked and then how then the arranging of their surprise.
While the reboot never came to fruition, Richard Osman let slip that another attempt to resurrect the show was looming recently.
A reboot of the show had been rumoured back in 2018, with Jonathan Ross tipped to host and several changes to be made (Jonathan pictured last week)
Ant and Dec (pictured last week) used the concept of the show on Saturday Night Takeaway, to mark their 25 year anniversary partnership, with Michael returning with Ashley Roberts to host
Speaking on his podcast, The Rest Is Entertainment, he said: ‘I got a message from a very big name TV presenter saying they’d just been offered a reboot of This Is Your Life.’
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 25 year anniversary partnership, with Michael returning with Ashley Roberts to host.
