Nicholas Parsons - IMDb IMDb Actor | Director | Writer Nicholas Parsons is without doubt one of the UK's most popular and beloved television and radio personalities. Few have had such a long entertainment career. The son of a doctor, he was raised in Lincolnshire until the age of eight, when the family moved to London. He was educated at St. Paul's School, London. He trained as an engineer but really ... See full bio » Born: a list of 940 people created 22 Jan 2012 a list of 740 people created 10 May 2012 a list of 66 people created 07 Sep 2014 a list of 100 people created 27 Dec 2014 a list of 1955 people created 4 months ago Do you have a demo reel? Add it to your IMDbPage How much of Nicholas Parsons's work have you seen?

User Polls Sale of the Century Himself - Host / Himself - Presenter (1971-1983) 2010 The Wotwots (TV Series) Narrator (England) 1991 Bodger and Badger (TV Series) The Mayor 1973 Comedy Playhouse (TV Series) Guy Shelmerdine 1965/II Call My Bluff (TV Series) Chairman 1964 Vacation Playhouse (TV Series) Squifft 1954-1956 Rheingold Theatre (TV Series) Ronnie / Steve Brown 1951 The Passing Show (TV Series) Robert MacKay 1950 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) Edgar Fuller 1946 Hay Fever (TV Movie) Sandy Tyrell 1979 Mad Dogs and Cricketers (TV Movie documentary) Hide 1960 Blue Skies Ahead (TV Mini-Series short) (writer) Hide 1960 Blue Skies Ahead (TV Mini-Series short) (camera operator) Hide 1960 Blue Skies Ahead (TV Mini-Series short) (producer) Hide 2015 The

 Secret Life of Books (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself - Presenter 2014-2015 It Was Alright in the...

(TV Series documentary) Himself 2014 Fern Britton Meets... (TV Series) Himself Himself - Host, Sale of the Century - Episode #1.4 (2014) ... Himself - Host, Sale of the Century - Episode #1.2 (2014) ...

Himself - Host, Sale of the Century 2004-2014 Loose Women (TV Series) Himself 2014 Glasgow: Big Night Out (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Actor / Shipyard Worker 1939-1944 2013 Greatest Stand Up Comedians (TV Movie documentary) Himself (as Nicholas Parsons OBE) 2013 This Week (TV Series) Himself 2013 Frost on Sketch Shows (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2013 Funny Business (TV Series documentary) Himself 2012 TV's Biggest Blockbusters (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2012 Britain's Funniest Comedy Characters (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2012 Just a Minute (TV Series) Himself - Host 2008-2012 The One Show (TV Series) Himself - Guest / Himself 2012 The Talent Show Story (TV Series documentary) Himself 2011 The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Friend 2011 Me & Arthur Haynes (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2010 Heston's Feasts (TV Series

 documentary) Himself 2009 The Story of Slapstick (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2009 The Funny Side of...

(TV Series documentary) Himself 2005-2009 The Daily Politics (TV Series) Himself 2009 Outbreak 1939 (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Broadcaster 2009 What the Dickens? (TV Series) Himself 2008 Timeshift (TV Series documentary) Himself 2008 How TV Changed Britain (TV Series documentary) Himself 2008 Auntie's War on Smut (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2008 Happy Birthday Brucie! (TV Movie documentary) Himself - Audience Member 2007 Screenwipe (TV Series documentary) Himself 2007 Mousetrapped (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2006 Is Benny Hill Still Funny?

(TV Movie documentary) Himself 2006 TV's 50 Greatest Stars (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2006 The Story of Light Entertainment (TV Mini-Series documentary) Himself 2006 Britain's Funniest Comedy Characters (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2005 2005 TV Moments (TV Movie) Himself - Audience Member (uncredited) 2005 Christmas Mania 2005 (TV Movie) Himself 2005 50 Questions of Political Incorrectness (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2005 Rock School (TV Series) Himself 2005 This Morning (TV Series) Himself 2005 Britain's 50 Greatest Comedy Sketches (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2005 The Comedians' Comedian (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2004 Porridge @ 30 (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2004 Beat the Nation (TV Series) Himself 2004 Hell's Kitchen (TV Series) Himself 2004 Bob Monkhouse: A BAFTA Tribute (TV Special documentary) Himself - Audience Member (uncredited) 2002-

2004 Breakfast with Frost (TV Series) Himself 2003 Dale's Wedding (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2003 The Joy of Christmas (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2002 Arena (TV Series documentary) Himself 2002 50 Greatest Magic Tricks (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2002 Channel 4 News (TV Series) Himself 2002 Through the Keyhole (TV Series) Himself 2001 Live Lunch (TV Series) Himself - Interviewee 2001 Annie Goes to Hollywood (TV Movie documentary) Himself 2000 The Weakest Link (TV Series) Himself 2000 Our House (TV Series) Himself - Guest 2000 Legends (TV Series documentary) Himself 2000 What a Performance!

(TV Series) Himself 2000 Top Ten (TV Series documentary) Himself 1999 Anglia at Forty (TV Series) Himself 1994-1999 Just a Minute (TV Series) Himself - Host 1997 Selection Box (TV Series) Himself 1997 Brass Eye (TV Series) Himself 1996 Cryer's Crackers (TV Series) Himself - Guest 1996 The 10 Percenters (TV Series) Himself 1989-1996 Surprise Surprise! (TV Series) Himself 1995 Heroes of Comedy (TV Series documentary) Himself 1995 The Clothes Show (TV Series documentary) Himself 1995 Celebrity Squares (TV Series) Himself 1993 The Music Game (TV Series) Himself 1992 TV's Greatest Hits (TV Series documentary) Himself 1989-1991 World in Action (TV Series documentary) Himself - Presenter / Game Show Host - Beat the Taxman (1991) ... Himself - Presenter - Spongers (1989) ...

Game Show Host 1991 Naruhodo: The World! (TV Movie) Himself - Host 1989 The Joke Machine (TV Series) Himself 1989 My Secret Desire (TV Series) Himself 1989 You Bet! (TV Series) Himself 1989 The New Statesman (TV Series) Himself 1988 Roland's Rat Race (TV Series) Himself - Co-Host 1987 Night Network (TV Series) Himself 1986 Looks Familiar (TV Series) Himself - Guest - Episode #14.7 (1986) ... Himself - Guest 1986 Wogan (TV Series) 1979-1985 Blankety Blank (TV Series) Himself 1985 Super Troupers (TV Series) Himself 1985 No 73 (TV Series) Himself 1982 Family Fortunes (TV Series) Himself 1981 Look Who's Talking (TV Series) Himself - Interviewee - Nicholas Parsons (1981) ...

Himself - Interviewee 1981 Omnibus (TV Series documentary) Himself 1978 Star Games (TV Series) Himself 1970-1978 This Is Your Life (TV Series documentary) Himself / Himself - Guest 1976 Just a Minute (TV Movie) Himself - Host 1974 The Golden Shot (TV Series) Himself 1973 S.S. France (Documentary short) Himself - Narrator 1973 Whose Baby? (TV Series) Himself - Guest 1971 The Evolution Bit (Documentary short) Himself - Narrator 1971 The Hagenbeck Story (Documentary short) Himself - Narrator 1969 Just a Minute (TV Movie) Himself - Host 1966 Quiz Ball (TV Series) Himself - Guest Supporter 1960 Blue Skies Ahead (TV Mini-Series short) Himself - Presenter 1960 Dial for Music (TV Series) Himself - Host 1957 Summers Here (TV Series) Himself - various roles 1956 They're Off!

(TV Series) Himself - Host 1954 Garrison Theatre (TV Series) Himself 1953 The Services Show (TV Series) Himself 2009 Timeshift (TV Series documentary) Himself 2007 Comedy Connections (TV Series documentary) Himself Sir Walter of the Glen Related Videos Personal Details Other Works: He acted in David Heneker and John Taylor's musical, "Charlie Girl", at the Victoria Palace in London, England with Dora Bryan , Paul Nicholas , Cyd Charisse , Mark Wynter and Lisa Hull in the cast. Stewart Trotter was the director. See more » Publicity Listings: 1 Portrayal | 1 Interview | 1 Article | See more » Official Sites: Did You Know? Personal Quote: [on his performance in Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric: Part One (1989)] I'm very flattered as I've always loved the show and it's nice to be associated with something which is a cult, but to be in one of the best episodes of a cult show has been to me one of the most treasured memories.

See more » Trivia: In a The Benny Hill Show (1969) sketch, the vampire Dracula is waved away from a would-be victim not with a cross, but with a photo of Parsons smiling. See more » Star Sign: Macclesfield Pub Quiz League: October 2015 Macclesfield Pub Quiz League 1st round of the cup 27th October Questions compiled by the Plough Horntails and the Robin Hood. 1. What is the capital of the US State of Kansas? A. Topeka 2. What is the capital of the US State of Connecticut? A. Hartford 3. Which Shipping Area lies between Wight and Plymouth A. Portland? 4. Which Shipping Area lies between South East Iceland and Fair Isle A. Faeroes? 5. Name the castle in Kent which was the home of the Boleyn family when their daughter Anne married Henry VIII. A. Hever Castle 6. Monticello in the US state of Virginia was the home of which of their Presidents? A. Thomas Jefferson 7. Which actress played Elizabeth Bennet to Colin Firth’s Mr Darcy in the TV production of Pride & Prejudice? A.

Jennifer Ehle 8. Which actor played Inspector George Gently? A. Martin Shaw 9. Neville Norway was the real name of which 20th C novelist? A. Nevil Shute 10. David Ivor Davies was the real name of which 20th C composer and entertainer? A. Ivor Novello 11. In which city was the composer Frederick Delius born in 1862? A.Bradford 12. What was the title of the first novel in Terry Prachett's Discworld series? A.The colour of magic 13. What military rank was held by James Bond? A.Commander, Royal Navy. 14. Who was the artistic director for the London 2012 Olympic Opening ceremony? A.Danny Boyle. 15. What is the capital of Namibia? A.Windhoek 16. Who founded the Bauhaus school of architecture and design in Germany in 1919? A.Walter Gropius. 17. Which British playwright wrote "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead"? A.Tom Stoppard 18.

Who in 1932 became the first female to fly non-stop across the Atlantic single-handed? A.Amelia Earhart 19. Which was the first country to host a FIFA World Cup tournament for a second time? A.Mexico (1970 & 1986). 20. Which author wrote the novels "Blott on the Landscape" and "Porterhouse Blue"? A Tom Sharpe. 21. In which castle was Mary Queen of Scots imprisoned and later executed? A Fotheringay. 22. Which obstacle to navigation does the Welland Canal bypass? A Niagara Falls 23. Mountain, Grevys and Plains are the three subspecies of which animal? A Zebra. 24. In Shakespeare’s plays who are Valentine and Proteus? A The Two Gentlemen of Verona. 25. On which river does the city of Hereford stand? A Wye 26. In The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, what was the name of the computer that gave 42 as the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything? A Deep Thought 27.

Whose official country residence is Dorneywood, Buckinghamshire? A Chancellor of the Exchequer. 28. What is the name for a line on a map connecting points of equal underwater depth? A Isobath 29. From which plant are vanilla pods obtained? A.Orchid, specifically the Vanilla Orchid. 30. Who wrote the book “The Interpretation of Dreams”? A.Sigmund Freud. 31. Near which city are the villages of Bevendean, Saltdean and Roedean? A.Brighton & Hove (accept Brighton) 32. In which county are the villages of Melmerby, Langwathby and Glassonby ? A.Cumbria 33. Where is Narita airport? A.Tokyo 34. Which city is served by airports called Tegel and Schoenefeld? A.Berlin 35. What was the name given to the 8-engine aircraft designed & owned by Howard Hughes in the 1940’s? A.The Spruce Goose 36. Who referred to the English as a ‘Nation of Shopkeepers’? A.Napoleon Bonaparte 37.

Which state in the USA has the words ‘THE FIRST STATE’ on its car number plates? A.Delaware …. It was the first state to recognise the US constitution 38. Which state in the USA has the words ‘FIRST IN FLIGHT STATE’ on its car number plates? A.North Carolina ... it was where the Wright Brothers were working. 39. Playing (Played) in the 2015 Rugby Union world cup, which team has the nickname of ‘The Cherry Blossoms’? A.Japan 40. Also playing in the 2015 Rugby Union world cup, what is the nickname of Canada? A.`The Canucks` 41. What is the name given to the top vertebra of the spinal column? A.Atlas. ( also accept C1 vertebra or top Cervical) 42. Which car company used the words ‘Hand built by Robots’ in its advertising campaigns? A.Fiat 43. Which car company uses the words ‘The Power of Dreams’ in its advertising campaigns? A.Honda 44.

Music with motoring connections: In 1965, the Beatles performed the song that contained the line: ‘Baby you can drive my car, yes I’m gonna be a star…’. What was the name of the album that contained this track? A.Rubber Soul 45. In the TV series ‘Black Adder Goes Forth’, there was always a cunning plan. Which actor played the part of ‘Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St Barleigh’? A.Hugh Laurie 46. Which “late” fashion designer, known by his initials, had the middle names Henri Donat Mathieu? A.Yves St Laurent 47. Which actor currently advertising bread on British TV played veteran racing driver Joe Tanto in the 2001 film ‘Driven’? A.Sylvester Stallone 48. Toucher, Narrow and Bias are all terms used in which sport? A.Bowls (lawn) 49. In 2002 Steve Fossett became the first solo person to circumnavigate the world non-stop and single-handed in what? A.Hot-air balloon 50. If food is napped, how is it served?

A.In a Sauce or other Liquid 51. What is the title of The Beatles first feature film, released in 1964? A.A Hard Day’s Night 52. Which English artist and poet was known to introduce himself as ‘Mr Abebika Kratoponoko Prizzikalo Kattefello Ablegorabalus Anleborinto Phashyph’ amongst other nonsense introductions? A.Edward Lear 53. Arancione (pronounced Arran Chi Onie) is Italian for which colour? A.Orange 54. The 1977 autobiography ‘Tall, Dark and Gruesome’ is by which British Actor? A.Christopher Lee 55. Which country hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games? A.Japan 56. Which island is divided among Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia? A.Borneo 57. Which ‘ology’ is the search or study of animals whose existence has not been proven, such as the Yeti or Loch Ness Monster? A.Cryptozoology 58. What is the name of a triangular piece of material that is inserted in a garment to make it flared or for ornamentation?

A.Godet 59. From which country did Russia finally withdraw its troops in 1989, after an unsuccessful campaign that lasted nearly ten years? A.Afghanistan 60. Who directed and starred in the 1968 film ‘The Green Berets’? A.John Wayne 61. What was the name of the British Royal navy research vessel, commanded by Lieutenant James Cook on his 1769 voyage of discovery to Australia and New Zealand? A.HMS Endeavour (or Bark Endeavour) 62. The discovery of which mineral nearby caused the founding of S Africa’s Johannesburg in 1886? A.Gold 63. Which US gangster had his occupation as ‘Used Furniture Dealer’ on his business cards? A.Al Capone 64. Which playing card is known as ‘Grace’s Card’? A.Six of hearts 65. How many events are in a tetrathlon? A.Four 66. What is the opposite of dextral (on the right hand side)? A.Sinistral 67. English author David Cornwell is better known by what name? A.John Le Carre 68.

In March 1977, the rings of which planet in our solar system were discovered? A.Uranus 69. On which island is the 2001 film ‘The Others’ starring Nicole Kidman and Christopher Eccleston set? A.Jersey 70. A battery operated version of which creature was the subject of a Christmas toy craze in 2009? Answer: Hamster (Go-go/Zhu-Zhu depending on the country). 71. What was the name of the handheld digital pet that became a toy craze in 1997? Answer: Tamagotchi 72. What was the name commonly given to the four pence piece minted in the UK until 1856? Answer: A groat. 73. Bernard-Hogan Howe currently holds which public office? Answer: Commissioner of the Metropolis (accept “Head of the Met Police” or words to that effect.) 74. John Thomas (Baron Thomas of Cwmgiedd – “Cum-gi-eth”) has held which public office since 2013? Answer: Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales 75.

“Go Set a Watchman” is a novel that was this year. It is the somewhat delayed sequel to which work? Answer: To Kill a Mockingbird (published in 1960!) 76. Which James Bond film marked the debut of Roger Moore? Answer: Live and Let Die 77. Who wrote the play entitled Breath? A.Samuel Beckett it’s a play which consists of about 25 seconds of screams and heavy breathing 78. Which nation’s football team were the runners up in the 2006 FIFA World Cup? A.France 79. What is the surname of Muppet Dr Bunsen in the children’s television series ‘The Muppets’? A.Honeydew 80. In August 1990 Iraq invaded which country, eventually leading to the Gulf War? A.Kuwait 81. In the children’s television series ‘Four Feather Falls’, which British radio and television presenter provided the voice of Tex Tucker? A.Nicholas Parsons 82. As of 24th October 2015, Michael Schumacher holds the record for the most Formula 1 Grand Prix wins with 91.

Who lies second in the all-time list with 51 wins? A. Alain Prost 83. Who wrote the novel , ‘Oranges are not the only Fruit’, for which he/she won the 1985 Whitbread Prize For a First Novel? A. Jeanette Winterson 84. Who wrote the 18th century novel ‘The History of Tom Jones, the foundling’ , often known simply as ‘Tom Jones’ Answer: Henry Fielding 85. Who is the current Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs? Answer: Elizabeth (Liz) Truss 86. What is Andy Burnham’s position in Jeremy Corbyn’s new Shadow Cabinet> Answer: Shadow Home Secretary 87. The UK joined the EU predecessor, the European Economic Community in 1973. It was one of four countries invited to join at that time. Which of these four countries declined this invitation following a national referendum. Answer: Norway 88. In which year did Jim Callaghan become Prime Minister Answer: 1976 89. Which legendary singer/song writer co-wrote the theme tune to the TV series, Absolutely Fabulous, with Rick Danko.

Answer: Bob Dylan 90. Whom did the Spice Girls sack as their manager in early 1998? Answer: Simon Fuller 91. Alistair Cook recently broke the record for the longest test innings by an England cricketer when he scored 263 over a period of 836 minutes in the recent test match against Pakistan. Who was the previous record holder for the longest innings in England test cricket? Answer: Len Hutton 92. Australia hosted the 1956 Olympics (Melbourne), but the equestrian events were held in which other country? Answer:Sweden 93. Who directed Argo, the 2012 winner of the Best Picture award at the Oscars? Answer: Ben Affleck 94. What is the mathematical series that starts 0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 called? Answer: Fibonacci series 95. This year’s Booker Prize winning novel is based around a fictional attempt on the life of which musician? Answer: Bob Marley 96. Which Manchester building made the shortlist of this year’s Stirling Prize for architecture? Answer: The Whitworth 97.

What name is given to the German sweet gingerbread biscuits traditionally served around Christmas? Answer: Lebkucken 98. Inspector Lynley features in a series of detective novels written by which author? Answer: Elizabeth George 99. Galanthus nivalis is the botanical name for which early blooming plant? Answer: Snowdrop 100. Which waterfalls are on the border between Brazil and Argentina? Answer: Iguazu Falls 101. Which common garden bird has the Latin name Troglodytes Troglodytes? Answer: The wren 102. Who played Geordie Peacock in the BBC series ‘Our Friends in the North’? Answer. Daniel Craig 103. In September, Wayne Rooney overtook Sir Bobby Charlton as the top goal scorer for England. How many goals has he scored while playing for his country? Answer: 50 104. In which county would your find the National Trust property Hidcote Manor? Answer: Gloucestershire 105. Who shot Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe in July 2015? Answer: Walter Palmer (American Dentist) 106.

Which Shakespearian character, other than those named in the title of a play, speaks the most lines. Answer: Iago (Othello) 107. Who wrote the book “Schindler’s Ark” on which Steven Spielberg based “Schindler’s List? Answer: Thomas Kenneally 108. Which Benjamin Britten opera is named after a character who appears in the George Crabbe poem “The Borough”? Answer: Peter Grimes 109. Who gave away hundreds of “Dusty Bins” as the host of the game show 3-2-1?? Answer: Ted Rogers 110. Which Mancunian, who gave her name to a now defunct secondary school in the city, served as Labour Minister of education between 1945 and her untimely death in 1947? Answer: Ellen Wilkinson 111. Who composed the “Danse Macabre”, or “skeleton dance”? Answer: Camille Saint-Saens (pr “San-Son”) 112. How many points in total were scored in the England vs.

France match in the final week of the 2015, 6-nations? Answer: 90 (accept 87-93) 113. What is the name of the predominantly light-blue, purple-spotted horned creature who is a leading protagonist in Monsters Inc.? Answer: Sully (James P Sullivan in full) 114. What is the original full name of the long-term inmate of the US Military’s Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, who adopted the forenames Chelsea Elizabeth in 2013? Answer: Bradley Manning 115. When Ben Johnson was disqualified from the 100m Olympic final in the 1988 Seoul games, who was elevated to the gold medal position instead? Answer: Carl Lewis 116. The 23rd fence of the Aintree Grand National course is named after which horse, who won the 1967 race after most of the field became caught up in a “pile-up” at the fence? Answer: Foinavon 117. Who served as General Secretary of the USSR Communist Party between Stalin and Kruschev?

Answer: Georgi Malenkov 118. What was the name of the village on the border between North and South Korea, name-checked in Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire”, where the Korean War armistice was signed? Answer: Panmunjom 119. In 1951, Bobby Thomson hit the “shot that was heard round the world” to secure his team the Baseball National League Pennant. For whom was he playing? Answer: New York Giants 120. Name any one of the senior Nazis who were unable to dodge an appointment with the executioner on October 16th, 1946 as a result of conviction in the Nuremberg Trials. Answer: Hans Frank, Wilhelm Frick, Alfred Jodl, Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Wilhelm Keitel, Joachim von Ribbentrop, Alfred Rosenberg, Fritz Sauckel, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, Julius Streicher. NOT Hermann Goring! Supplementaries:- 121. On ordnance survey maps, a cross represents a place of worship. What distinction is identified by the cross sitting on top a square or circle?

Answer: Whether the place of worship (accept church) has a tower or spire (and, now, a minaret or dome). [Square for a tower, but no need to identify which way around] 122. What colour is the triangular symbol that represents a Youth Hostel on Ordnance Survey maps? Answer: Pink 123. In mathematics (particularly algebra) the letter e is often used to denote a number close to 2.72. After who is the number named? Answer: Leonhard Euler (pr. “Oiler”) Euler’s number is an example of an irrational number. What is an irrational number? Any number that has digits that continues infinitely without terminating or reaching a pattern of numbers. OR any number that cannot be found by dividing one integer (whole number) by another. 124. Which song, also the name of a notable film and novella gave Deep Blue Something a one-hit wonder UK number one hit in 1996? Answer: Breakfast at Tiffany’s 125.

Which UK number one of 1996 has the same title (bar one additional word) as a 1956 play, a notable example of a “kitchen-sink drama”? Give the title of the song. Answer: Don’t Look Back in Anger. (must include “Don’t”) 126. Which TV soap opera was centred around Wentworth Detention Centre? Answer: Prisoner Cell Block H 127. Which actor progressed from a role in Neighbours to playing Edward VIII in The King’s Speech? Answer: Guy Pearce 128. What was the name of the hijacked passenger liner from which wheelchair-bound hostage Leon Klinghoffer was pushed by Palestinian militants in 1985? Answer: Achille Lauro 129. What creature has the German name “Fledermaus” Answer: Bat 130. Who served as Shadow Chancellor between May and December this year, before resigning on the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Leader? Answer: Chris Leslie Tie Break Question: Q.

On 28 January 1896 Walter Arnold, of East Peckham, was the first person fined for driving above the speed limit in a motorised vehicle in the United Kingdom. How fast was he going? A. 8 mph (13 km/h). He was exceeding the contemporary speed limit for towns of 2 mph (3.2 km/h) and had been caught by a policeman who had given chase on a bicycle. He was fined 1 shilling plus costs. Which magician recently embarked on a UK tour entitled "Seeing Is Believing"? Dynamo After 62 years, which magazine has announced it will no longer publish pictures of totally nude females because the internet has made them outdated? Playboy After 13 years, Stephen Fry has announced he will step down as the host of the BBC panel show QI. Who will replace him? Sandi Toksvig The original cast reunited in October 2015 to celebrate 30 years of which West End musical? Les Miserables Waterstones have removed which products from their shelves and replaced them with books, due to declining sales?

E-Readers accept Kindles etc.) Edward Snowden recently revealed that GCHQ have a suite of tools for spying on mobile phones - they are named after which diminutive blue characters? Smurfs Which Welsh river flows into the Bristol Channel at Newport? Usk Which is the largest loch in Scotland by surface area? Loch Lomond St. Margaret's Loch and Samson's Ribs are found in which Scottish city? Edinburgh Which main motorway passes close to Newport, Cardiff and Swansea? M4 Which British city claims to have more canals than Venice? Birmingham In which city is the Ashmolean Museum, the oldest public museum in Britain? Oxford 7 Which country’s capital city lies on the Yamuna River? (NB – country required, not the city) India (Old and New Delhi lie on the Yamuna) 8 Which country consists of over 7,000 islands, the largest of which are Luzon and Mindanao? The Philippines Belmopan is the capital city of which country? Belize Swaziland is almost completely surrounded by which other country? South Africa Red and royal are two types of which fish?

Bream In a flowering plant, what is the sticky surface that receives pollen known as? Stigma 3 Which poisonous plant was once thought to have a root which resembled a human form and which shrieked when plucked? Mandrake Which British physicist developed three laws of motion? Isaac Newton What 'J' is a berry which provides the flavouring for gin? Juniper Which branch of medicine is concerned with children's diseases? Paediatrics Of what are Pascals a unit of measure? Pressure Elvers are the young of which fish? Eel S1 What name is given to the system of healing developed by Dr Andrew Still, involving the manipulation of bones in the body? Osteopathy S2 What name is given to the study and use of frequencies above the limits of human hearing? Ultrasonics Which children's author, who died in 1968, also used the Pen Name Mary Pollock? Enid Blyton Which actress played the title role in the 2000 film 'Erin Brockovich'? Julia Roberts Which musical show does the song 'The Music of the Night' come from? Phantom of the Opera Who wrote the horror story 'The Fall of the House of Usher'?

Edgar Allan Poe 5 Which British artist painted a controversially bleak portrait of the Queen to celebrate her Golden Jubilee in 2002? Lucien Freud In Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”, where was there to be a “stately pleasure-dome”? Xanadu 7 The title of which 1970’s BBC TV series, set around a taverna in Crete frequented by British expatriates, refers to travellers in Homer’s Odyssey, who ate a plant that made them forget their families and lose desire to go home? The Lotus Eaters In ‘The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin”, what company did Reggie work for? Sunshine Desserts What was horror writer Stephen King's first published novel? Carrie In the title of a 1953 Kenneth More film, who or what was 'Genevieve'? A Car Which beer did Jack Dee advertise in a series of 1990s TV commercials? John Smith's What is the main constituent of a Pontefract Cake? Liquorice What is the Mediterranean term for cooked squid?

Calamari Which cocktail incorporating vodka and tomato juice was invented in 1920 by a Parisian bartender? Bloody Mary Carob is a substitute for which type of food? Chocolate (it is a cocoa powder replacement) 6 What type of fruit is a Blenheim Orange? Apple What makes Pink Gin pink? Angostura Bitters Grenadine was originally made from water, sugar and the juice of which fruit? Pomegranate The French word flambé means that food is served covered in what? Alcohol How many players are there in a Water Polo team? Seven In October 2011, who became the first British woman to win a major boxing title with victory over Frenchwoman Sarah Ourahmoune at the European championships? Nicola Adams During the Olympic games, which item is usually thrown the furthest in order for a man to win a gold medal? Javelin Which prestigious horse racing event is held annually on the first Tuesday in November? Melbourne Cup Which rugby league team plays its home games at a ground on Wheldon Road, which is called 'The Jungle' by its fans?

Castleford Tigers In February 2006, Annika Sorenstam was declared the first ever world ranked number one woman in which sport? Golf What score did Donald Bradman make in his final-ever Test innings? 0 (Zero) Ian Botham played for three County cricket teams. Somerset was one of them; name either of the other two. Durham or Worcestershire Which Lord led the disastrous Charge of the Light Brigade? Lord Cardigan Anne Boleyn was the mother of which English monarch? Elizabeth I (the First) 4 The foundation stone to which famous current London building was laid on the 21st of June 1675? St Paul's Cathedral Of which country did Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the world's first female Prime Minister in 1960? Sri Lanka (Ceylon, as was) 6 Which U.S. General was in charge of Allied Forces for the D-Day Landings? Eisenhower In 1738, John and Charles Wesley founded which movement in Britain?

Methodist 8 In 2013, historians staged a mock trial in a bid to settle competing claims for the location of which Italian river that Julius Caesar crossed with his army in 49 BC leading to war, uttering the phrase, "The die is cast"? The Rubicon Which French king was overthrown during the French Revolution in 1789? Louis XVI (Sixteenth) Which grave-robbing Edinburgh duo supplied dead bodies to the anatomist Dr. Robert Knox? Burke and Hare 1 In which mountain range are the Blue Ridge Mountains? The Appalachians 2 Only two actors have won the Oscar for best actor in consecutive years. Tom Hanks in 1994 and 1995. Who was the other? (1938 – Captains Courageous and 1939 - Boys Town) 3 In which Shakespeare play does the character Malvolio appear? 4 Used in church Advent services, a Christingle is made using which fruit? 5 In 1297, two people were made "Guardians of Scotland". Andrew Moray was one, who was the other? William Wallace 6 In the Bible, Goliath was the champion of which tribe?

The Philistines 7 In football, which city is home to Feyenoord? Rotterdam 8 What is a young hippopotamus called? A calf 9 What kind of animal is a speckled racer? A snake 10 Which mountain’s name translates into English as “Ogre”? The Eiger 11 Only two actresses have won the Oscar for best actress in consecutive years. Luise Rainer in 1937 and 1938 (No, I've never heard of her either…). Who was the other? Katharine Hepburn (1968 - Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and 1969 - The Lion in Winter) 12 In which Shakespeare play does the character Lysander appear? A Midsummer Night’s Dream 13 Who first developed the laws of heredity after his research with peas? Gregor Mendel 14 Who was British Prime Minister at the time of the Suez Crisis? Sir Anthony Eden 15 In Greek mythology, who was the husband of Penelope? Odysseus 16 In football, which city is home to Juventus?

Turin 17 Who won the Oscar for best actress at this year’s ceremony? Julianne Moore (For “Still Alice”) 18 Which Greek island is historically associated with the Knights of St John? 19 Specifically, what is the parasitic insect with the Latin name Pediculus humanus capitis better known as? Head Louse (do not accept just Louse) 20 In which 1951 film does Alec Guinness play bank clerk Henry Holland, who carries out a plan to steal gold bullion? The Lavender Hill Mob 21 Which sea separates Australia and New Zealand? The Tasman Sea 22 Which technology company, which now has its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975? 23 Who finished second in the Formula 1 Motor Racing World Championship in 4 successive years from 1955 – 1958, and never won the title? 24 Which is the largest island in the Caribbean? Cuba 25 Which city is served by George Bush Intercontinental airport? Houston, Texas 26 Who won the Oscar for best actor at this year’s ceremony? Eddie Redmayne.

(For “The Theory of Everything”) 27 Which island, belonging to Portugal, lies approximately 350 miles off the coast of Morocco? Madeira 28 In humans, Grave's Disease affects which part of the body? Thyroid Gland (accept Thyroid) 29 The 1958 film, A Night to Remember , was about which historical event? The sinking of the Titanic 30 What is the name given to an underground layer of waterbearing permeable rock? Aquifer 31 In what unit is the resolution of digital cameras measured? Megapixels 32 In Formula 1, at which circuit is the Italian Grand Prix held? Monza 33 The writer Zane Grey is best known for which genre of novel? Westerns 34 Who plays Walter White in the TV series Breaking Bad ? Bryan Cranston 35 In which Italian region would you find Florence? Tuscany 36 Which of Henry Vlll’s wives was known as the Flanders Mare?

Anne of Cleves 37 In Greek mythology, what was the name of the nymph who fell in love with Narcissus, but who was said to have pined away when her love was not returned, leaving only her voice? Echo 38 Which popular pastime is based on its Victorian equivalent called “The Magic Square”? 39 In which County would you find Corfe Castle, Milton Abbey and the Cerne Giant? Dorset 40 What is “Varicella “ the correct name for? Chicken Pox 41 With which part of the body is a Trichologist concerned? Hair 42 Who wrote A Town Like Alice ? Nevil Shute 43 Who plays Saffy (full name Saffron Monsoon) in Absolutely Fabulous ? 44 In which geographical region of France would you find Marseille? 45 Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner became President of which South American country in December 2007? Argentina 46 In Greek mythology, who was punished for his selfaggrandisement by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down; repeating this action for eternity.

47 Which British newspaper went tabloid on the 3rd of May 1971? Daily Mail 48 In which County would you find Beaulieu Motor Museum, HMS Victory and the birthplace of Jane Austen? Hampshire 49 Which 1970s TV character had a toad called Touchwood? Catweazle 50 What kind of creature is a Goldeneye? Duck 51 The poem ‘Funeral Blues’ by W H Auden is popularly known by what name? 52 Which English Rugby Union team played their home games at Adams Park? 53 Which US comedian, who lived to be 100, said "When I was a young man, the Dead Sea was still alive"? George Burns 54 Which Film Studio claimed to have "more stars than there are in heaven"? 55 Which town in Virginia is home to the FBI Academy and US Marine Corps Officer Training School? Quantico 56 Texas Hold ‘Em is a variation of which card game? Poker 57 With which athletics event is Jan Zelezny associated? Javelin 58 Which actor played the fifth TV Doctor Who?

Peter Davison 59 What mythical creature is a lycanthrope? Werewolf 60 Who painted the Laughing Cavalier? Franz Hals 61 Where were the summer Olympic Games held in 1992? Barcelona 62 What was the name of the Orang-utan in the Clint Eastwood film "Every Which Way But Loose"? Clyde 63 Which successful British film led Colin Welland to declare that "The British are Coming"? 64 By what name is the US Military academy in New York State usually known? 65 Mount Logan is the highest mountain in which country? Canada 66 The Juilliard School of Performing Arts is located in which American city? 67 Which 1997 film starring Colin Firth tells the story of a football fan's obsession with Arsenal F.C.? Fever Pitch 68 In the 1970s, the slogan “made to make your mouth water” was used to advertise which confectionary? Opal Fruits 69 What does the letter ‘D’ stand for in RADAR?

Detection (Radio Detection and Ranging) 70 Which ex-astronaut became a senator for Ohio and made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. presidency in 1984? John Glenn 71 In which war was the battle of Marston Moor? English Civil War (in 1644) 72 Which title was first established in 1688 when James II bestowed it on John Dryden? Poet Laureate 73 Who wrote, "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive"? 74 In which British city would you find Waverley Station? Edinburgh 75 For which book did Salman Rushdie win the Booker Prize in 1981? 76 What was the name of the British children's TV drama starring Susan Tully and Todd Carty amongst many others? Grange Hill 77 Which company sells ice cream flavours such as Karamel Sutra, Cherry Garcia and Honey I'm Home? Ben and Jerry's 78 How many years does it take the earth to complete one revolution around the sun? 79 During World War II, which film studio produced wartime cartoons for the U.S. government?

Disney 80 Which famous person is associated with Longstone Lighthouse? 81 Which British actor was born Krishna Bhanji in North Yorkshire in 1943? 82 Which murderer used the false name John Robinson whilst trying to escape to Quebec with his mistress? Dr Crippen 83 On which of the Great Lakes does Chicago lie? Lake Michigan 84 In George Orwell's '1984,' which ministry is responsible for censorship? 85 Who took over from Jonathan Ross presenting 'Film 2010' in September of that year? 86 Single malt scotch is normally made entirely from which grain? Barley 87 Which female, in 1991, became the first Briton in space? Helen Sharman 88 What name is shared by ships employed by Captain Cook and Captain Scott as well as one of NASA’s Space Shuttles? Discovery 89 What name is given to a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture? Kibbutz 90 The 50th anniversary of whose murder was marked across the world in November 2013? 91 Which English playwright wrote a series of monologues for TV entitled 'Talking Heads'?

92 The pirate Henry Morgan was appointed Deputy Governor of which West Indian island in 1674? Jamaica 93 What is the name of Sherlock Holmes' older brother? Mycroft 94 Dustin Hoffman won the best actor Oscar for his role in which 1988 movie? 95 A 'wiener schnitzel' is what kind of meat? Veal 96 Which metal is added to steel to make it into “stainless steel”? Chromium Supplementary Questions S1 Whose three-volume autobiography was called "Diary of a Genius"? Salvador Dali S2 How old is a horse when it changes from a mare to a filly? 4 Years S3 In Shakespeare's King Lear, the King has 3 daughters, Regan is one, name either of the other two. Goneril or Cordelia S4 On which river is the Kariba Dam? Zambesi S5 Name either of the two countries connected by the Brenner Pass S6 What is the name of the Hunter who never catches Bugs Bunny? Yes a bonus quiz this week – set to raise money for the East Cheshire hospice 1.

Which model car was launched by British Leyland in October 1980? AUSTIN (MINI) METRO 2. What is the US state capital of Florida? TALLAHASSEE 3 Toucher, Narrow and Bias are all terms used in which sport? BOWLS 4. In 2002 Steve Fossett became the first solo person to circumnavigate the world non-stop and single-handed in what? IN A HOT AIR BALLOON 5. If food is napped, how is it served? IN A SAUCE 6. What is the title of The Beatles first feature film, released in 1964? A HARD DAY’S NIGHT 7. Arancione is Italian for which colour? ORANGE 8. The 1977 autobiography ‘Tall, Dark and Gruesome’ is by which British Actor? CHRISTOPHER LEE 9 Vestiphobia is the irrational fear of which items? CLOTHES 10 Which island is divided among Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia? BORNEO 11. The cathedral in which British city is known as ‘The Ship of the Fens’? ELY 12.

From which decade of the 20th Century did Wales have a capital city? 1950s (1955) 13. A Spinone is what type of animal? DOG 14. What is the name of the target in a game of curling? HOUSE 15. Jaffa is an ancient port in which country? ISRAEL 16. ‘Love is Like a Butterfly’ is a 1974 single written and recorded by which US singer DOLLY PARTON 17 Which letter is furthest to the right on a top letter row on a computer keyboard? P 18. In private healthcare what does BUPA stand for? BRITISH UNITED PROVIDENT ASSOCIATION 19. Which SE Asian country is known as the ‘Land of Smiles’? THAILAND 20 London landmark The Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain is better known by what name? STATUE OF EROS 21. What is the surname of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer, in the US television series? SUMMERS 22. What shape, typically, is an ingot? RECTANGULAR 23.

The UK television drama series ‘Boys from the Black Stuff’ was set in which city? LIVERPOOL 24. Rothschild, Kordofan, Nubian and Rhodesian are all species of which animal? GIRAFFE 25. Orteil is French for which part of the body? THE TOE ROUND 2 1. Which US mobster is quoted as saying ‘Capitalism is the legitimate racket of the ruling class’? AL CAPONE 2. ET is the international vehicle registration of which country? EGYPT 3. Who plays Calvin J Candie in the 2012 film ‘Django Unchained’? LEONARDO DE CAPRIO 4 Which fruit is traditionally used in the recipe for Liverpool Tart? LEMON 5. In which US city was Dr Martin Luther King assassinated in 1968? MEMPHIS 6. What type of creature is a cichlid? FISH 7. The capital cities of which two South American countries lie on the Rio de la Plata? URUGUAY AND ARGENTINA 8. People born on the 1st March have which sign of the Zodiac?

PISCES 9. Dydd Sadwrn is Welsh for which day of the week? SATURDAY 10. In the first Harry Potter novel who is the headmaster of Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? PROFESSOR ALBUS DUMBLEDORE 11 In October 1977 three members of which US rock band died in a plane crash in Mississippi, three days after the release of their album ‘Street Survivors’? LYNYRD SKYNYRD 12. Gorgonzola cheese is from which country? ITALY 13. What is the title of the 2001 film in which Russell Crowe plays mathematician John Nash? A BEAUTIFUL MIND 14. Lonicera is the Latin name for which garden plant? HONEYSUCKLE 15. In nature, Greco, Ostro, Libeccio and Sirocco are all types of what? WIND 16. Suva is the capital of which South Pacific island? FIJI 17. Who became the host of the UK television game show Blankety Blank in 1984? LES DAWSON 18.

What type of meat dish is known as ‘Savoury Ducks’? FAGGOTS 19. What was the first name of the wife of US President George Washington? MARTHA 20. Dungeness is a headland on the coast of which English county? KENT 21. Give one of the middle names of Queen Elizabeth II? ALEXANDRA, MARY 22. A Sachertorte is a type of cake which traditionally has a layer of which flavour jam? APRICOT 23. Urtication is the ancient use of which plant to stimulate the skin? NETTLES 24. Which is the hottest planet in our solar system? VENUS (constantly around 480 degC) 25. Mund is German for which part of the body? MOUTH ROUND 3 1. Mr and Mrs Spoon, Tina Teaspoon and Eggbert are all characters in which UK children’s television series? BUTTON MOON 2. US author Truman Streckfus Persons is better known by what name? TRUMAN CAPOTE 3.

Which S Korean car manufacturer was the first to offer a 7year/150,000 km warranty on all cars sold in Europe? KIA 4. Stan and Francine Smith are the parents in which US television cartoon series? AMERICAN DAD 5 Which is the fifth largest country in the world by area – Canada, Nigeria or Brazil? BRAZIL (Canada is 2, Nigeria 31) 6. Adnams Brewery is based in which English county? SUFFOLK 7. What type of creature is a godwit? BIRD 8. Which Roman numerals depict the year 1991? MCMXCI 9. Who beat Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 FIFA World Cup final? FRANCE 10. Which US actor played the title role in the television police drama ‘T J Hooker’? WILLIAM SHATNER 11. The 1987 autobiography ‘They Made a Monkee Out of Me’ is by which member of The Monkees? DAVY JONES 12.

‘I’ll eat my ‘what’ is a favourite expression of Mr Grimwig in the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens? HEAD 13. What is the national animal of Greenland? POLAR BEAR 14. Margaret Thatcher was elected as Conservative MP for which London borough in 1959? FINCHLEY 15. Da Nang International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport are located in which Asian country? VIETNAM 16. Bikram, Anusara, Kundalini and Iyengar are all types of which activity? YOGA 17 Which US television fantasy drama series is set in the fictional Seven Kingdoms of Westeros? GAME OF THRONES 18. Acajou is another name for which nut? CASHEW 19. Manchego is what type of foodstuff? CHEESE 20. Who wrote the 1898 book ‘The War of the Worlds’? HG WELLS 21. How much, in pounds sterling, does the Best in Show Winner receive at the annual Crufts Dog Show? £100 22.

Traditionally a ‘coven’ refers to a meeting of how many witches? 13 23. In the ‘Harry Potter’ series of books what is the American version of the game of Quidditch? QUODPOT 24 Corriedale is a breed of which animal? SHEEP 25. In cooking, Senf is German for which condiment? MUSTARD 1. In our solar system which is the 5th planet from the Sun? JUPITER 2. There were three popes in 1978 – name them PAUL VI, JOHN PAUL I AND JOHN PAUL II 3. What were the first names of the characters played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue in the Australian series ‘Neighbours’? SCOTT AND CHARLENE 4. ‘The Telephone Song’ and ‘Last Night of the World’ are songs from which musical? MISS SAIGON 5. Which famous couple have daughters named Malia and Natasha? BARACK & MICHELE OBAMA 6. British actress Audrey Kathleen Ruston was better known by what name? AUDREY HEPBURN 7 Which is the largest city in Scotland by population?

GLASGOW 8. What replaced the flat iron in the board game Monopoly in 2013? CAT 9. What are the first names of the parents of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge? MICHAEL AND CAROLE 10. Hinge, Saddle, Pivot and Gliding are all types of what in the human body? JOINTS 11 Saint Paul is the capital of which US state? MINNESOTA 12 In which year did Edmond Hillary reach the summit of Mount Everest – 1952, 1953 or 1954? 1953 13. Which constituency does Labour MP Dennis Skinner represent? BOLSOVER 14 What is the width in feet of a full size regulation snooker table? 6 FEET 15. Which European capital city lies on the River Vistula? WARSAW 16. Who sang with James Taylor on hits Mockingbird and How Sweet It Is? CARLY SIMON 17 At which ‘Field’ was Richard III’s final battle? BOSWORTH 18. The moss Sphagnum produces what traditional ancient fuel? PEAT 19.

‘The mountain ash, Sorbus aucuparia, and its berry, is called what? ROWAN 20. The removal of salt from brine to produce fresh water is commonly named what? DESALINATION 21. Spell the human lung condition Pleurisy PLEURISY 22. Founded in 1950, whose flag is a white compass rose/star in a circle on blue background? NATO 23. Mumps can spread, rarely, to where in adult males? TESTICLES (Orchiditis) 24. Which Greek hero cut off the head of Medusa the Gorgon? PERSEUS 25. How many months of the year have 30 days? 11 2. Give Me a P… 3. Quotations 4. Before They Were Famous… 5. On This Day… 6. Shaken, But Not Stirred? TOO MANY COOKS? In honour of the Great British Bake Off, simply name these famous TV Chefs!

GIVE ME A P… All the people / objects / things in the pictures start with the letter P – just say what they are… QUOTATIONS To which famous person are the following memorable words attributed? 1. “Doctor Livingstone, I presume?” 2. “You turn if you want to. The lady is not for turning” 3. “Religion is the opium of the people” 4. “The ballot is stronger than the bullet” 5. “Let them eat cake” 6. “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse” 7. “I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to” 8. “Bugger Bognor” (on his deathbed) 9. “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” 10. “They think it’s all over …. it is now” BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS Simply name these famous people from the below pictures taken before we immediately knew who they were… ON THIS DAY… A round of questions about things that have happened on this day in history – the 16th of October. 1.

Which British actress best known for her role in the TV crime series Murder She Wrote was born on this day in 1925? 2. What was the name of the daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I who was beheaded on this day in 1793? 3. U.S. sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave their famous “Black Power” salute on the winners' rostrum at the Summer Olympics on this day in which year? 4. Which Polish-born first Israeli Prime Minister, who was the leading force in the creation of the state, was born on this day in 1886? 5. Which former Chilean dictator was arrested in London on this day in 1998? 6. Which American media and entertainment company was founded by two brothers in Los Angeles on this day in 1923? 7. Which famous playwright, who only wrote one novel; The Picture of Dorian Gray, was born on this day in 1854? 8. In a career that saw a record 4,870 wins, which jockey had his first ride at Lingfield Park on this day in 1920? 9.

Which long-running ITV series started on this day in 1984, eventually broadcasting some 2,400 episodes before ending its run in 2010? 10. Which popular children’s TV programme intended to develop language and number skills for the under-5’s began its 20 year run on the I.T.V. network on this day in 1972, starring Zippy and Bungle? SHAKEN, BUT NOT STIRRED? Then try this one – on 26 October the 24th “official” James Bond film will be released in the UK and 6 men have played the title role in these films. Simply name all the “Bond” films for 1 point each, but you must match the right films to the right “Bond”. We have given you a clue as to how many each actor has made. Sean Connery – 6 Nicholas Parsons : definition of Nicholas Parsons and synonyms of Nicholas Parsons (English) 6 External links Early life Parsons was born at 1 Castlegate, Grantham , Lincolnshire , the middle child, with an older brother and a younger sister.

His father was a general practitioner in Vine Street, whose patients included the parents of Margaret Thatcher . It is possible he delivered the future Prime Minister in 1925. [1] His mother, born in Bristol to a founder of local company WB Maggs & Co., was training as a nurse when she met Parsons' father in a hospital. Parsons was born left-handed but was made to write with his right hand. As a child, Parsons had a stutter , which he overcame by the age of 15, and was slow to learn owing to dyslexia . He also suffered migraines . [2] Educated at St Paul's School in London, he wanted to be an actor. However, his parents considered that a career in engineering would be better, as he had repaired clocks and was good with his hands. [2] After he had left school, his family contacted relatives in Scotland who arranged a job for him in Clydebank near Glasgow , where he spent five years employed in the shipyards of Clydeside by Drysdales, in the manufacture of pumps. Whilst there he also had two six-month periods studying engineering at the University of Glasgow .

[3] Although he never graduated, he gained enough qualifications to become a marine engineer and was given a position in the Merchant Navy during World War II, which he never took up owing to illness. Broadcasting career He started his career while training as an engineering apprentice; he was found by Canadian impresario Carroll Levis , doing impressions and working in small repertory theatres in Glasgow. [4] Parsons made his film debut in Master of Bankdam in 1947. He continued his stage career in small parts in West End theatre shows, then did two years in repertory at Bromley , Kent and later Windsor , Maidstone and Hayes . After becoming a resident comedian at the Windmill Theatre in 1952, Parsons became well known to TV audiences during the 1950s as the straight man to comedian Arthur Haynes . After the pair appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1961, the partnership broke up at Haynes request allowing Parsons to return to the stage, before he became a regular on The Benny Hill Show from 1969 to 1974.

After Haynes' sudden death, Parsons appeared as a personality in his own right, culminating in the long-running Anglia Television game show , Sale of the Century , broadcast weekly from 1971 to 1983. Parsons has been the host of the BBC Radio 4 panel game Just a Minute since it was first broadcast on 22 December 1967. [5] The show continues to be transmitted and Parsons has been heard in every edition. The programme's longevity is arguably due in part to the chairman's ability to act as straight man to the comedians who participate. He was also the votes presenter for the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest from 1960 - 1963 . He was also the non-singing voice of Tex Tucker in the TV series Four Feather Falls at the suggestion of his then wife, actress and voiceover artiste Denise Bryer. During the late sixties he presented a satirical programme on Radio Four called Listen to This Space, which by the standards of its time was very risqué. Also, in the late 1960s, he portrayed "David Courtney" on the short-lived American sitcom The Ugliest Girl in Town .

In 1988 he appeared as himself in The Comic Strip Presents episode " Mr Jolly Lives Next Door ", in which he had the misfortune to encounter two incompetent escort agency directors ( Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson in their usual cheerfully-violent, dipsomaniac personas) followed by the psychopathic and misnamed Mr Jolly himself (played by Peter Cook ). In 1989 he made a guest appearance in the long running BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who as the doomed Northumberland vicar Reverend Wainwright in the Seventh Doctor serial The Curse of Fenric . Another guest role in 1989 was in The New Statesman , where he played host to a daytime quiz show. He has also taken the role of the narrator in the stage musical The Rocky Horror Show . In 1993 he appeared in the final fourth series of the UK TV show Cluedo as Reverend Green. In 2010, he made a brief appearance as Father Gorman in Marple: The Pale Horse but was killed off three minutes into the show.

In April 2005 he was the weekly guest presenter on the BBC news quiz Have I Got News for You , having been turned down some time previously. According to Guy Adams, writing in The Independent 's "Pandora" column, Have I Got News for You team captain Paul Merton , also a regular panellist on Parsons' show Just a Minute, had commented shortly before the decision, "I have two contenders for the job, who represent the best possible choices. One would be Nicholas Parsons. The other would be Bagpuss ." Parsons surprised Merton's fellow team captain, Ian Hislop , by invoking the rules of Just a Minute for one of the rounds. [6] Parsons came last on Celebrity Mastermind , broadcast on BBC1 in December 2007. In 1994, Parsons published his autobiography, The Straight Man: My Life in Comedy.

[7] In 2010, he was inducted into the UK Radio Hall of Fame, receiving the award at a recording of Just a Minute at the Lowry Centre, Salford.[ citation needed ] In October 2011, the BBC announced that to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Just a Minute, the show would transfer to television for a ten part early evening series, with Parsons as host and regular panelist Paul Merton confirmed as a guest. The show was broadcast on BBC 2 from 26 March to 6 April 2012. Roles outside broadcasting From 1988 to 1991, Parsons served as Rector of the University of St Andrews . In 2005 he became honorary Chairman of the International Quizzing Association (IQA), a body which organises the World and European Quizzing Championships. He is a leading member of the Grand Order of Water Rats charity, a patron of the British Stammering Association , and a Pro Dono Ambassador. He was the president of the charity the Lord's Taverners 1998–1999. Parsons is also a high-profile supporter of the Liberal Democrats .

Each year he holds his own live chat show in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival promoting up-and-coming comedians. Selected filmography

Question: In the children’s television series ‘Four Feather Falls’, which British radio and television presenter provided the voice of Tex Tucker?
Answer: Nicholas Parsons