Nicholas Parsons death: Broadcasting legend dies aged 96 after short illness

Nicholas Parsons, host of BBC Radio 4's Just A Minute, has died aged 96 after a short illness, his agent said.

Parsons was surrounded by his family when he died in the early hours of Tuesday, a statement added.

He first fronted Just A Minute, where panellists have to speak for one minute without hesitation, deviation or repetition, on its inception in 1967.

The broadcaster missed a recording of the show for only the second time in more than 50 years last summer, due to a bad back.

His agent Jean Diamond said on behalf of his family: “Nicholas passed away in the early hours of the 28th of January 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.”

Paying tribute, BBC Director-General Tony Hall said his "charm, inventive intellect and ability to create laughs were unsurpassed".

He added: “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."

Actor and comedian 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."

Just a Minute panellist Gyles Brandreth described Parsons as his "hero".

He wrote: "Nicholas Parsons was a wonderful role model: always courteous, always good-humoured, always the professional & still at his best aged 95! I thought he was immortal because he was always so alive.

"Such sadness today, but what a career to celebrate, from the 1940s to 2020. My hero!"

Writer Neil Gaiman posted on Twitter that he was "heartbroken".

He said: "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."

Writer and comedian Chris Addison wrote: "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."

Graham Norton, Sue Perkins and Andrew Neil were also among those to pay tribute.

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.

“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.”

Parsons also appeared on the Benny Hill Show for several years from 1969 and fronted ITV game show Sale of the Century.