2023, and this has just come up on TH-cam, here in my home in Australia. Fifteen years ago, passing through London to Europe, one evening I was in the lounge of a small hotel in Bayswater Road. Present also was a lady who said she was Janet Brown, a name that meant nothing to me. Over supper, she explained that she impersonated Margaret Thatcher. Intrigued (and as she was so pleasant) I asked her to step into character to let me see. The result was astonishing. I was totally floored by her voice, manner and total conviction in the role. And I'd only seen Lady Thatcher on TV here in Australia. Ms Brown's talent, and her generosity to a total stranger, will be one of my lasting memories.
What a lovely story. I was a huge fan, never got to meet Janet unfortunately but have a letter and signed picture. She was well known for her Margaret Thatcher but was SO much more. I would love to see her series again "Janet And Company" but it's never been repeated or released.
@@GeorgeLyall Janet Brown used to appear on the old Mike Walsh Show out of Sydney during the late 1970s-early 1980s. Another character she used to impersonate was Sue Ellen from 'Dallas'.
@@andrewthornhill7042 Thanks Andrew - I found a clip from her series doing Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie, I've uploaded under "Janet Brown does Dallas"! She was an amazing impressionist, someone I would loved to have met
Wonderful that the inspirational Jessie Matthews survived to meet Janet, Passing away a few short months later and for the amazing Carol Channing to be still with us at an incredible 97!
Wonderful Janet is one of the greats , from my childhood that I had forgotten, I now remember her. I think I even did my own Maggie thatcher impersonation many years ago!
Absolutely! The best of all the impressionists and sent me a couple of signed pictures. Wish I could find her "Janet & Company" series which I used to love!
Amazing that her husband Peter Butterworth, who played the buffoon in many a Carry On film was a prisoner of war and held at Stalag Luft and was a key member of the Great Escape team. He was supposed to be the last man out but stayed to keep sending coded messages to British Intelligence. Another prisoner Talbot Rothwell was a scriptwriter for the Carry On films too. Butterworth was turned down to play himself in the 1949 movie The Great Escape.
Absolutely_ I still have a letter and a couple of signed pics years apart that she sent me. I used to be amazed at how much she LOOKED like her impersonations as well as sounding like them.
I read that - what happened to her? I have a signed photo from Janet, and on the back is a message from Emma Butterworth and it says "secretary to Miss Brown"!
Perhaps unsurprisingly Janet died aged 87 which a grand age to live to in 2011, Eamon Andrews passed away some years ago, Emmer in 1996, Tyler continued to act, and married to actress Janet Dibley, I’m lucky to have my life aged 63.
![This Is Your Life Marty Wilde [UK, 15/12/1982]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/X2KVMiqqBHo/mqdefault.jpg)
2023, and this has just come up on TH-cam, here in my home in Australia. Fifteen years ago, passing through London to Europe, one evening I was in the lounge of a small hotel in Bayswater Road. Present also was a lady who said she was Janet Brown, a name that meant nothing to me. Over supper, she explained that she impersonated Margaret Thatcher. Intrigued (and as she was so pleasant) I asked her to step into character to let me see. The result was astonishing. I was totally floored by her voice, manner and total conviction in the role. And I'd only seen Lady Thatcher on TV here in Australia. Ms Brown's talent, and her generosity to a total stranger, will be one of my lasting memories.
What a lovely story. I was a huge fan, never got to meet Janet unfortunately but have a letter and signed picture. She was well known for her Margaret Thatcher but was SO much more. I would love to see her series again "Janet And Company" but it's never been repeated or released.
@@GeorgeLyall Janet Brown used to appear on the old Mike Walsh Show out of Sydney during the late 1970s-early 1980s. Another character she used to impersonate was Sue Ellen from 'Dallas'.
@@andrewthornhill7042 Thanks Andrew - I found a clip from her series doing Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie, I've uploaded under "Janet Brown does Dallas"! She was an amazing impressionist, someone I would loved to have met
She was an amazing talent for mannerisms, voices an personalities of famous people.
A wonderful person, and one of the very finest impersonators
You are very much missed
I'm amazed, she was 57 in this programme and she looks barely 40!
She looks stunning
Wonderful that the inspirational Jessie Matthews survived to meet Janet, Passing away a few short months later and for the amazing Carol Channing to be still with us at an incredible 97!
Carol Channing just recently passed away earlier this month at 97. Those two are finally together again.
Some impersonators were dreadful back in the day but this fine lady was top of the class, she really was amazing.
Absolutely!
I was on the QE2 cruise and Janet Brown was appearing on it - A great lady Bless you Janet xx
What a beautiful human being - Janet Brown.
lovely woman. didn't even realize she had passed away. talent gone under the radar.
Desmond Wilcox with Ester Rwandan died in 2000 - 8:15, Andrews before him in 1987.
She was great, she picked her soulmate in the late great Peter Butterworth and had a lovely family Tyler and Emma. X
What a lovely lady
@@jacksugden8190 ... Esther Rantzen ... but you made me laugh anyway.
Never knew that Peter Butterworth was her husband .
The late GREAT Janet Brown. So glad she was honoured.
Was sooo nice to watch this.
Wonderful Janet is one of the greats , from my childhood that I had forgotten, I now remember her. I think I even did my own Maggie thatcher impersonation many years ago!
Me too! 😄
She’s so lovely.
I remember being quite shocked at how old Janet was when she died she always seemed so much younger
Very talented
Great artist, and so was Peter her husband ... well done George
Absolutely! The best of all the impressionists and sent me a couple of signed pictures. Wish I could find her "Janet & Company" series which I used to love!
I Hope you do, I will also look around for it
Couldn’t get her impression of Carol Channing right, costume looked good in this film.
Amazing that her husband Peter Butterworth, who played the buffoon in many a Carry On film was a prisoner of war and held at Stalag Luft and was a key member of the Great Escape team. He was supposed to be the last man out but stayed to keep sending coded messages to British Intelligence. Another prisoner Talbot Rothwell was a scriptwriter for the Carry On films too. Butterworth was turned down to play himself in the 1949 movie The Great Escape.
The Esther Rantzen impression is brilliant!
My late grandparents are in the audience.
Fascinating.....
@@davidfelix2594 as is your reply
The days you could laugh in britain without certain people being offended JANET RIP
some souls here have gone RIP
Well, you've cracked it again. Keep it up! Thank you!
Who? Lol
The TH-cam channel called Thames TV has privated all their This Is Your Life videos so you're the only source of new ones now. Keep it up :)
Ah I see! Thank you! Enjoy!
It's spooky that Janet died at the same age as her most famous impersonation Margaret Thatcher, both aged 87.
I thought it was pretty good of Margaret to write a personal letter for Janet for the show. Lord knows the prime minister is plenty busy!
Check all my other uploads of this wonderful entertainer!
OMG - Jessie Mathews !!!!!!
R I P Janet
lovely lady..
Absolutely_ I still have a letter and a couple of signed pics years apart that she sent me. I used to be amazed at how much she LOOKED like her impersonations as well as sounding like them.
Yes no one left. Now. All good ones passed away. We left with crap actors crap singers crap comedians omg
Her son looks just like his dad Peter Butterworth
You need new glasses Mark.
Sad that her daughter died so young in 1996 aged 34.
I read that - what happened to her? I have a signed photo from Janet, and on the back is a message from Emma Butterworth and it says "secretary to Miss Brown"!
Perhaps unsurprisingly Janet died aged 87 which a grand age to live to in 2011, Eamon Andrews passed away some years ago, Emmer in 1996, Tyler continued to act, and married to actress Janet Dibley, I’m lucky to have my life aged 63.
Does anyone know how Miranda Butterworth died ? Scoured the internet and I can't find any information on her tragic passing.
No Jay, but some things are kept private.
The studio audience is God's waiting room
I think they've all passed the reception area by the look of them. They looked dignified then as opposed to the raggedy looking lot now.
Of course, actor Tyler Butterworth is married to actress Janet Dibley.
Her sister looks like her
th-cam.com/video/BainzD2lKmk/w-d-xo.html Here's the much documented joke on Joan Rivers!
Walkies