Just A Minute host Nicholas Parsons dies aged 96 after a short illness

January 28, 2020 Olivia Wilson Leave a comment

Just a Minute host Nicholas Parsons died this morning aged 96 surrounded by his family after a short illness.

Parsons was best known for the BBC Radio 4 programme, where panellists have to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition, and he first fronted the show on its inception in 1967.

There have been more than 900 episodes of Just a Minute – and Parsons missed a recording for the first time ever in April last year because of flu, and then another in August due to a back problem.

He made his acting debut in 1947. Following a number of film roles, he became a television regular on The Benny Hill Show and hosted the long-running ITV game show Sale Of The Century.

Parsons had been married to his second wife, Ann, since 1995 and received a CBE in 2014 for services to charity.

Nicholas Parsons celebrates his 96th birthday at Grosvenor House in London in October 2019

Parsons with hostesses (from left) Caro Greenwood, Sophie Batchelor, Laura Beaumont, Christine Owen and Eunice Derry in the long-running ITV game show Sale Of The Century

Nicholas Parsons had been married to his second wife, Ann, since 1995. They are pictured together on January 16, 2019

His agent Jean Diamond said: ‘Nicholas passed away in the early hours of January 28 after a short illness at the age of 96. He was with his beloved family who will miss him enormously and who wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital.’

BBC Director-General Tony Hall said: ‘Very few people have done so much to entertain audiences over the decades, and no one deserves to be called a broadcasting legend more than Nicholas Parsons.

‘His charm, inventive intellect and ability to create laughs were unsurpassed. Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.’

Mohit Bakaya, controller of BBC Radio 4, said: ‘Nicholas Parsons was one of the greats, a first class broadcaster and an icon in the world of British comedy.

‘Nicholas always brought his sharp wit, brilliant poise and warmth to everything he did – but particularly as host of Just a Minute where his excellence shone in each episode without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

Parsons hosts ITV’s Sale of the Century. The presenter made his acting debut in 1947

Parsons is made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen during an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in Berkshire on April 15, 2014

Parsons with the Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of the new Lord Taverners headquarters in London in May 1999

‘He was that rare beast – a presenter whose appeal spread right across the generations – and he was a unique member of the Radio 4 family. He will be greatly missed by us all, as well as the many, many listeners who he entertained so brilliantly.’

‘Humour has sustained me’: The best quotes from the late Nicholas Parsons

Here are some of Nicholas Parsons’ best quotes.

‘I believe I would have got more work if I had been more rugged-looking.’ (August 2015)

‘The saddest thing about getting old is seeing my cricket bat in the corner and wondering if I will ever play again.’ (June 2015)

‘I have a very weak stomach. I am not sure how it would handle kangaroos’ testicles.’ (December 2014)

‘I see a lot of the young comedians think it is clever to use foul language and they think it is funny. It isn’t.’ (November 2014)

‘The open-necked shirt is really rather ugly. I have seen people with beautifully-tailored jackets on with an open shirt with an awful Adam’s apple there.’ (August 2014)

‘Why do people use the word ‘kids’? It makes children sound like small goats.’ (January 2014)

‘I can take a grandfather clock to pieces and put it back together again.’ (September 2013)

‘I get quite resentful when people ask if I am going to retire. I am in a profession that retires you. If you are no longer hacking it, you won’t be asked back, or the public won’t come and see you. They will let me know soon enough if I am not doing what I should: I’d be out on the rubbish dump.’ (August 2011)

‘People ask how I’ve survived so long. Well, I was in the Blitz and there was stoicism in adversity. And humour. Humour has sustained me.’ (December 2010)

‘I don’t know if men go bonkers in middle age. I’m bonkers half the time anyway, so I didn’t notice much.’ (August 2009)

‘We are rogues and vagabonds waiting by the phone, there to hire for our talents. A bit like prostitutes.’ (March 2009)

Julia McKenzie, creative director at BBC Studios Audio which produces Just a Minute, said: ‘Nicholas was such a smart and passionate man who cared deeply about his radio show and Radio 4 and its devoted listeners. He was utterly charming and faultlessly professional.

‘He was funny and kind in person and wonderful company. I can’t really believe he is gone today, he seemed indestructible. His legacy will live on with over 50 years of laughter-filled shows and the lasting friendships he made through his extraordinary career in show business.

‘My thoughts are very much with Annie, his beloved wife and constant support and companion who attended every recording, and the rest of his family. Nicholas, you dear man, what a full life you lived – you really did bring much wit and joy to us all and we thank you for that – we miss you.’

BBC presenter Andrew Neil tweeted: ‘So sad to learn of the death of Nicholas Parsons, though at 96 it was a pretty impressive innings. I last saw him a year ago and he was in great form. A more friendly, generous, polite and solicitous person you could not hope to meet.’

Radio 4 Today programme presenter Nick Robinson tweeted: ‘Without hesitation, deviation or repetition I’d like to say that Nicholas Parsons was a broadcasting giant who proved that the straight man could be the real star of comedy. Will be hugely missed by all who work at and love.’

Writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth tweeted: ‘The end of an era. Nicholas Parsons was such a lovely man – and so versatile: actor, entertainer, writer, TV star & radio host without equal, but for me, most of all, friend. I knew him for more than 50 years: he was simply the best. Thinking of his wonderful wife Annie & family.’

DailyMail.com US Editor-at-Large Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘RIP Nicholas Parsons, 96. A wonderful man who brought so much fun, charm, wit & pleasure to so many millions of people over so many decades. What a life.’

Actor Stephen Fry tweeted: ‘Oh no. Nicholas Parsons gone? He ruled Just a Minute for Just a Lifetime. A stunning achievement: never scripted, always immaculate. From comedian’s sidekick to great institution, via Sale of the Century & much more. Unrivalled continuity, professionalism & commitment. Farewell x.’

TV host Graham Norton tweeted: ‘The sound of the final whistle. Nicholas Parsons was truly the kindest and most generous person I’ve ever worked with.

‘His continued delight at being a part of show business should be an inspiration to us all! Huge love to his wife Annie and his whole family.’

Parsons poses with a watch to promote Just A Minute 35th anniversary programme in 2002

Parsons is pictured in London in November 2013 (left) and in September 2018 (right)

Parsons with his CBE medal given to him by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in April 2014

Good Omens writer Neil Gaiman tweeted: ‘Heartbroken. I was thrilled to have been able to work with Nicholas Parsons on Good Omens. I sort of directed him, but the direction was basically ‘You’re Nicholas Parsons so do that’. Kind and professional and a pleasure to work with. So sad.’

Parsons played Dagon, Lord of the Files in the 2019 TV mini-series adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s book.

Writer Neil Gaiman also shared a picture of himself with Parsons, tweeting: ‘I’m so proud to be in this photo working with someone I’d respected and admired through Just A Minute for most of a lifetime.

‘(Favourite acting role was his evil quizshow host in Time Bandits.) RIP Nicholas Parsons. You were an inspiration. Thank you for being part of #GoodOmens.’

Veteran DJ Tony Blackburn tweeted: ‘Very sad to hear that the wonderful Nicholas Parsons has passed away.I knew him for years and have always been a big fan. On his 90th birthday we gave him a Superman Dressing Gown which he told me he loved. He was a superman and a great entertainer. I will miss him very much.’

Comedian Chris Addison wrote on Twitter: ‘Years ago I was due to do Just A Minute and had to cancel at the last minute because of Unexpected Developments in the run up to the birth of one of my kids.

‘The next day, Nicholas Parsons called to make sure everything was all right and ask if we needed anything. RIP, you gent.’

Comedian Rachel Parris tweeted an anecdote about Parsons from the Chortle comedy awards in 2016.

‘The room was cacophonous, everyone was talking over the winners as usual, all night, until Nicholas Parsons won an award, and a reverent hush fell over the whole room followed by a thunderous standing ovation. Even drunk comics know true quality.’

How showbusiness veteran Nicholas Parsons was most famous for his quiz and panel game roles

Nicholas Parsons was a true veteran of the stage, screen and airwaves with a career which spanned more than half a century.

He clocked up numerous acting and comedy parts, but he was best known for his years as question master of TV quiz Sale Of The Century and for his role as host of BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute, which he was still presenting well into his 90s.

Despite his glittering CV, he once said he believed he would have got more work if he had been ‘more rugged-looking’.

In 2012, he celebrated the 45th anniversary of Just a Minute – in which celebrity guests strive to talk about a subject for 60 seconds ‘without hesitation, repetition or deviation’ with a TV version broadcast by BBC2.

In 2016, Prince Charles, a fan of the show, performed a cameo on the programme’s Christmas special.

Parsons was born on October 10 1923, in Grantham, Lincolnshire, where his father was GP to the family of Baroness Thatcher.

After studying at St Paul’s School in London, he headed to Clydebank as an apprentice engineer, despite his own hopes of becoming an actor.

But his impressions were featured in a radio show and, following performances with amateur concert parties after the Second World War, he moved into acting – working in rep at Bromley in Kent.

Comic roles proved to be a speciality and he became resident comedian at the Windmill Theatre in London after working on the cabaret circuit in the 1950s.

He found TV fame appearing with comic Arthur Haynes in his ITV show in the early 1960s, and he was also a regular on The Benny Hill Show.

At the tail end of 1967, he introduced Just A Minute for the first time – and the show is still going strong today.

Within a few years, he had also become known for hosting ITV’s Sale Of The Century, with its notable opening line ‘And now from Norwich, it’s the quiz of the week …’ which launched as a regional show in 1971, and was broadcast nationally by 1975.

Parsons had guest roles in Doctor Who, children’s series Bodger And Badger, as well as taking a cross-dressing role in a touring production of The Rocky Horror Show in his 70s, and performing a number of seasons with his one-man shows at the Edinburgh Festival.

In 1990, he starred in London’s West End in Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods, and his autobiography The Straight Man – My Life in Comedy was published in 1994.

He was a regular guest on television and radio comedy shows, and in 1999 he took his comedy chat show The Nicholas Parsons Happy Hour to the Edinburgh Festival, returning to the event in years that followed.

Notable projects include The Arthur Haynes Show, Carry On Regardless, and Cluedo, and he starred in West End comedies Boeing Boeing, Say Who You Are, as well as musicals and revues.

His first major success on television was as the straight man to Haynes in the famous partnership that flourished in the 1960s, and included Swing Along, a season in 1963 at the London Palladium.

Among his many charitable commitments, he had a long association with the Grand Order of Water Rats and the Lord’s Taverners, for which he has served as president.

Parsons said he was ‘flattered and delighted’ to be awarded a CBE for his charitable work in December 2013.

He said at the time that he would save celebrations for his day at the palace, joking that his 90th had been enthusiastically marked.

‘I received the letter two months ago and was told to keep quiet about it or it might be taken away so my wife and I kept quiet about it,’ he revealed.

‘We won’t be celebrating until the day we go to the palace – I’ve done so much celebrating for my 90th birthday this year,’ he said.

Ten years previously, Parsons received an OBE for services to drama and broadcasting.

On June 4 2018, he missed his first ever episode of Just A Minute after 50 years at the helm and over more than 900 instalments.

He was replaced by regular panellist Gyles Brandreth and his absence sparked concerns for his health.

However, the BBC’s head of radio comedy explained that Parsons was ‘taking a couple of days off’.

When introducing the show, Brandreth said: ‘After 50 years at the helm, [he] quite rightly thinks he should be allowed a day off.’

In 2019 Parsons was give a Broadcasting Press Guild (BPG) award for his outstanding contribution to broadcasting.

BPG chairman Jake Kanter said of Parsons: ‘His warmth, sharp wit and clear-headed determinations in rooms full of fast-talking show offs have kept him at the top of his game.’

Parsons married his second wife Ann Reynolds in 1995, and had two children from his first marriage to Denise Bryer.

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Just A Minute host Nicholas Parsons dies aged 96 after a short illness

‘Humour has sustained me’: The best quotes from the late Nicholas Parsons

How showbusiness veteran Nicholas Parsons was most famous for his quiz and panel game roles

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