That's Life! — Specials

Dec 1974

A special edition to celebrate a year of the brightest, the best and the wickedest real-life stories. With Esther Rantzen and reporters Kieran Prendiville and Glyn Worsnlp. Cyril Fletcher with the Ode of the Year, Stephanie de Sykes with the Song of the Year, and surprise visits from some of the stars of the year.

Dec 1977

Esther Rantzen introduces some of Britain's most talented pets including Patch - the dog that counts, Shimmy - the cat that plays table tennis, Lulu - the Blue Peter elephant who disgraced herself in the studio, and Jack - the crow who can't keep off the beer. Plus the funniest football match of the year when 14 dogs all had their day.

Aug 1981

Mar 1982

What 6,000 women told That's Life about their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth...

Mar 1982

Esther Rantzen with Paul Heiney and Chris Serle return with more stories and results from Britain's biggest ever survey into pregnancy and childbirth.

Aug 1983

A special edition featuring some of the most requested items from the last series, including Theo the talking poodle, Honey and Scamper the show-jumping rabbits, and the Bradford Salem Rugby Club playing 'In the Mood' - without instruments.

Aug 1984

Featuring some of the most requested items from the last series including zany animals like Sam the motorcycling dog, Sandy the window-cleaning dog and, of course, the now famous lirpa-loof, as well as magic moments like Jo bathing in slime and Bill flying like a bee.

Aug 1985

Featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series including: Spike Milligan's farm; Basingstoke Firemen's famous Red Sparrows; Marti Webb's 'Ben'; the somersaulting dog; the talented 9-year-old violinist Ingrid Widdup; and Doc Cox and the team at large in Boulogne to get France singing.

Aug 1986

A special holiday edition presented by Esther Rantzen featuring some of the last series' best-loved and most requested moments.

Aug 1987

Featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series, including Banjo the building dog, Andrew Egford, the talented 6-year-old cricketer, Doc Cox singing his 'Corker I met in Majorca', and the notorious Brighton bus, complete with tea cakes, a bath and a string quartet.

Dec 1987

Remember the dog who said 'sausages' ? Or the mysterious Lirpa Loof who appeared at London Zoo on 1 April 1984 ? Or Shimmy the ping pong pussy? Or the budgie who fell in love with a goldfish ? Esther Rantzen, with a little help from the Panto stars of Montpelier School, Ealing, introduces these and other memorable pets who have appeared in That's Life! over the past 15 years.

Aug 1988

A special holiday edition presented by Esther Rantzen featuring some of the best-loved and most requested moments from the last series.

Jan 1989

The dog who is a wonderful housewife. The dart-playing budgie. The horse that can do long division. Esther Rantzen introduces some of the most memorable Pets from the last 15 years of That's Life!

Aug 1989

A special bank holiday edition of That's Life! presented by Esther Rantzen.

Jan 1990

Esther Rantzen introduces some favourite pets from the last series.

Aug 1990

Esther Rantzen presents a compilation edition of That's Life! moments, including Adrian Mills's flight to Australia to expose the latest consumer con; Gavin Campbell helping a child to see; the revelation of the real Howard Leader in 'Get Britain Singing' and Simon Fanshawe getting his 'Surprise Surprise'.

Dec 1990

A special selection of talented pets requested by viewers of That's Life!

Jan 1991

This programme analyses the background to last summer's trial of the teachers first exposed on That's Life!

Aug 1991

Esther Rantzen and her team of Gavin Campbell, Howard Leader, Kevin Devine, Doc Cox and Scott Sherrin with highlights from the last series.

Dec 1991

Esther Rantzen presents a special New Year's Eve selection of favourite talented pets requested by the viewers of That's Life!

Aug 1992

Highlights from the series, such as the friendship between 2 year old Tansy Aspinall and the gorillas at Howletts Zoo Park.

Aug 1993

Highlights from the 1993 series - the campaign to protect witnesses who dare to help the police, and the Ann Mackey Appeal helping desperately sick children in Russia.

Dec 1993

A chance to meet some very special animals.

Jan 1994

That's Life! examines the causes of fire in the home and offers advice on devising an escape plan.

Jun 1994

After 21 years of entertainment combined with campaigning consumer journalism, That's Life! comes to an end with this, its 418th edition. Esther Rantzen is joined for this nostalgic celebration by all the presenters featured over the years, as well as Wet, Wet, Wet and Victoria Wood.