Millions tune in to BBC One to watch film celebrating childhood dreams of NCDS members

The BBC One Show travelled back to 1969 last night (21 November) to feature a film about three National Child Development Study (NCDS) members who wrote essays at age 11 imagining what their lives would be like when they reached 25.

This year the study, and three of its members, Sally Johnston, Steve Christmas and Jackie Adkins turned 60. The BBC interviewed them to see whether they fulfilled their aspirations, and to discover how their lives have unfolded since.

At the film’s conclusion each study member reflected on whether their 11-year-old self would be pleased with their life at 60.

Steve said: “I would not swap it for the 11-year-old life that I predicted. I think he would have been thankful that things turned out good.”

The hour-long programme was themed around childhood hopes and dreams, and presenters, Matt Baker and Alex Jones invited viewers from across the UK to email and tweet their own stories about whether they realised their aspirations. You can see a selection of tweets below.

@BBCTheOneShow @Jpampers has always wanted to be a drummer – photo from 2 years old and 19
years later last week on tour. pic.twitter.com/6cbAWAlWJp

— Bill Pamplin (@Billypimple) November 21, 2018

This is me on the right, playing the role of photographer at a staging of our own ‘Charles and Di’ royal wedding at the Bryn School in Basildon in 1981. I’ve been a professional photographer in Norfolk since 1995. Image copyright Echo Newspapers… pic.twitter.com/O8XtCngxjy

— Keith Whitmore (@kdwphoto) November 21, 2018

@BBCTheOneShow I wanted to go in the Royal Navy as my 1st cousin was in the Navy and became the youngest Naval V C holder posthumously,
Ended up being a Chef the same as my Dad
That’s me in the centre in the NTC learning Morse code. pic.twitter.com/w4tEePlNkP

— John Travers Cornwell (@JohnTraversCor1) November 21, 2018

I wanted to be a sailor like my dad! pic.twitter.com/U5lTZ8rdpm

— Leigh (@leighw10) November 21, 2018

@BBCTheOneShow here I was as a little Midwife! About 18 years after this photo was taken I graduated and currently work on labour ward bringing REAL babies into the world! ?? pic.twitter.com/bpR3W6iK9V

— Louise K (@LouiseK69828663) November 21, 2018

More than 10,000 11-year-olds taking part in NCDS were asked to write an essay imagining what their lives would be like at 25. The study members featured in the film gave permission to be named and interviewed.

The full BBC One Show programme is available on the iPlayer.

Further information

Read more about the NCDS age 11 essays project – Did the Baby Boomers fulfil their childhood dreams?