Born on the Same Day

In this first episode we tell the remarkable life story of the explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, born on the same day as first generation immigrant Ewart Rennalls and foster mother to 97 placements, Frances Chorlton.

Three babies born on the same day. Ahead of them lie seven decades of unimaginable change, but for each, a very different version of the future. One has found fame, the others live out of the public eye, but all have extraordinary stories to tell. This major new popular history series looks at key moments in the parallel lives of three people born on the same day in the same year. The programme explores how their lives entwine with the major events of our time, and asks: what paths do we choose in life and what does life choose for us? This episode tells the stories of the first supermodel, Twiggy; campaigner against hate crimes Sylvia Swain; and Anne Smith, who uncovered a family secret that was hidden for 50 years. Born on 19 September 1949, these three have lived through an era of seismic social change for women.

Three babies born on the same day. One of them has found fame, the others live out of the public eye, but all have powerful stories to tell. Every life tells a story, and our history is made up of all of them. This major new popular history series looks at key moments in the parallel lives of three people born on the same day in the same year. The programme explores how their lives entwine with the major events of our time, and asks: what are the choices and moments in life that shape us? This episode tells the stories of Ricky Tomlinson, one of Britain's best-loved actors; would-be jockey and entrepreneur Vic Young; and midwife Julia Allison. All three were born on 26 September 1939. Liverpudlian Ricky trained as a plasterer in his teens. After flirting with far right politics and becoming a member of the National Front, he was jailed for his part in the Builders' Strike of 1972.