Broadcaster Nicholas Parsons has died following a brief illness at age 96, his agent has confirmed.
Parsons had hosted Radio 4 A Minute since its beginning.
“He was a beloved family that will miss him hugely and who want to thank the superb staff in the Stoke Mandeville Hospital.”
BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute is a popular and popular board game in which guests are asked to talk without repetition, deviation or hesitation for a minute on a topic.
Parsons introduced his app that was very last on 23 September. Radio 4 has announced it’s going to broadcast a tribute at 18:30 GMT on Tuesday to Parsons.
He fronted the ITV game show Sale of the Century and appeared on the Benny Hill Show for many years.
BBC director-general Tony Hall explained: “Very few individuals have done a lot to amuse audiences over time, and nobody deserves to be known as a broadcasting legend over Nicholas Parsons.
“His appeal, creative wisdom and capability to produce laughs were unsurpassed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and those who knew him”
Graham Norton directed the tributes on societal networking, writing: “The noise of the closing whistle. Nicholas Parsons was the most generous and kindest man I have ever worked with.
“His continuing delight at being part of showbusiness ought to be an inspiration for us all! Massive love for his wife Annie and his entire family.”
Stephen Fry tweeted:“He dominated Only a Minute for Only a Lifetime. A stunning accomplishment scripted pristine. From comic sidekick through Sale, to establishment of the Century and more. Unrivaled professionalism, professionalism, and dedication.
Christopher Nicholas Parsons was born on 10 at Grantham, Lincolnshire.
He explained himself in his autobiography as”the unconventional kid of traditional parents”.
Only a Minute panelist Gyles Brandreth explained it as”the ending of an age”.
“Nicholas Parsons was such a beautiful guy,” he composed on Twitter. “So adaptable: celebrity, entertainer, author, TV celebrity & radio host without equivalent, but for me, first and foremost, buddy. I knew him for over 50 years he was the finest.”
Broadcaster Andrew Neil additional: “So sad to know of the passing of Nicholas Parsons, although at 96 it was a fairly impressive inning.
“A friendly, generous, polite and solicitous person who you couldn’t expect to fulfill.”
“Nicholas consistently brought his sharp humor, colorful poise and warmth into what that he did – but especially as a sponsor of Just a Minute where his superiority shone in every incident without hesitation, deviation or repetition.”