Marguerite Patten, a doyenne of British cookery, was honoured on celebrity show This is Your Life.

And for a Dovercourt couple last night's BBC TV show was extra special.

Philip Brown, of St George's Avenue, is Marguerite's brother and he appeared on the show with his wife, Phillis.

Mr Brown said: "We were proud to see she has done so well. I suppose she is a household name."

The couple travelled to Nottingham for the filming of the programme a couple of months ago and said they had a whale of a time.

"It was really nice," said Mrs Brown, 79.

"When they say they are going to have a party they really mean it. We got to meet all the celebrities. We were really well looked after."

A host of celebrity chefs appeared on the show to pay tribute to Marguerite including Gary Rhodes, Ainsley Harriott and Antony Worrall Thompson.

Mr Brown, 86, said he thought his sister must have published approximately 160 books and thought it was time for her to receive the star treatment.

"It's good to see her getting some recognition," he said. Marguerite Patten was a pioneer of home economics in the 1950s.

During her career she has published books and made television appearances on everything from cooking with sauces to a complete guide to tea.

Mr Brown said it had been a wonderful experience for the family to be brought together for the programme.

Proud - Marguerite Patten and some of the celebrities and guests on This is Your Life.

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