Nicholas Parsons

(Shows)
(Trivia)
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== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
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He acts as the narrator in the stage version of the Rocky Horror Show.
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He acted as the narrator in the stage version of the Rocky Horror Show.
Parsons went to the same school as Margaret Thatcher - Grantham & Kesteven High School for Girls (make your own joke up). His father was a GP in the area, though it is doubtful whether Thatcher was one of his patients.
Parsons went to the same school as Margaret Thatcher - Grantham & Kesteven High School for Girls (make your own joke up). His father was a GP in the area, though it is doubtful whether Thatcher was one of his patients.
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He was a keen waterskier and at one point his daughter suggested he run a ski school in Spain. However, Parsons enjoyed British life too much.
He was a keen waterskier and at one point his daughter suggested he run a ski school in Spain. However, Parsons enjoyed British life too much.
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 +
Appropriately for the host of ''Just a Minute'', he is also a keen horologist and is a member of the of the British Watch and Clock Makers' Guild.
With the summer 2010 series of ''Just a Minute'', Parsons became the oldest person ever to host a British game show, overtaking the late [[Humphrey Lyttelton]]. <!-- This is taking Humph's last radio ISIHAC as his last bow. If you count the filmed stage show, the dates would be 25 August 2010 (recording) and 1 February 2011 (broadcast). -->
With the summer 2010 series of ''Just a Minute'', Parsons became the oldest person ever to host a British game show, overtaking the late [[Humphrey Lyttelton]]. <!-- This is taking Humph's last radio ISIHAC as his last bow. If you count the filmed stage show, the dates would be 25 August 2010 (recording) and 1 February 2011 (broadcast). -->

Revision as of 22:47, 2 April 2011

Biography

Parsons has acted in comedy roles, at one stage being straight man to Arthur Haynes and Benny Hill. He is best known for his 14-year stint as host of Norwich-based quiz Sale of the Century.

On radio, he has presented public speaking parlour game Just a Minute since time began (or since 1967 to be exact). The format was converted to a BBC daytime show.

Trivia

He acted as the narrator in the stage version of the Rocky Horror Show.

Parsons went to the same school as Margaret Thatcher - Grantham & Kesteven High School for Girls (make your own joke up). His father was a GP in the area, though it is doubtful whether Thatcher was one of his patients.

He served as Rector of the University of St Andrews from 1988 to 1991, and was succeeded in the post by Nicky Campbell.

He was the original choice to play the Gamesmaster (q.v.)

As a child, he suffered from dyslexia, stuttering and migraines.

He was resident comedian at the Windmill Theatre for six months.

At one point he held the Guinness world record for the longest after-dinner speech, only for the previous record-holder, Gyles Brandreth, to later win it back.

He was a keen waterskier and at one point his daughter suggested he run a ski school in Spain. However, Parsons enjoyed British life too much.

Appropriately for the host of Just a Minute, he is also a keen horologist and is a member of the of the British Watch and Clock Makers' Guild.

With the summer 2010 series of Just a Minute, Parsons became the oldest person ever to host a British game show, overtaking the late Humphrey Lyttelton.

Books / Tapes

The Straight Man (autobiography) (hardback) | (tape)

Contact

c/o Jean Diamond, Diamond Management, 31 Percy Street, W1T 2DA

Web links

Internet Movie Database entry

Wikipedia entry

Feedback

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