Telly Talk: Was there ever a more terrible and pointless programme than This is Your Life?

I remember it being a permanent fixture of the schedules when I was growing up, and even as a young child its mix of schmaltz, false sincerity and over-the-top emotion proved far too much to stomach.

You’re probably expecting me to say that last night’s repeat of the 1963 edition featuring Hattie Jacques, shown on BBC4, completely changed my opinion. Not a bit of it. In fact, it was even worse, a stilted, scripted and sugar sweet confection that’s been turning to corrosive acid for the past 48 years.

Things started badly when Hattie and John Le Mesurier were ‘surprised’ by Eamonn Andrews and barely reacted, before moving on to a breakneck gallop through the actress’s life and career, assisted by Eric Sykes, Shirley Eaton and Max Bygraves.

Did we learn much? Well, I never knew she could sing, but apart from that, no.

And that’s the trouble with these old programmes. What should have been a fascinating time capsule of a bygone age was nothing more than  bucket of saccharine. And I bet people thought much the same even then.

Still, it was truly fascinating to see the cream of British light entertainment from 50 years ago, and interesting to see the cuckolded John Le Mesurier – who appears to have spent his entire career playing, er, John Le Mesurier – talking of his love for his Hattie. Especially in the light of the drama about her affair shown earlier.

So, next time someone says British telly isn’t like it was, point them in the direction of This is Your Life and be thankful it isn’t.