Nicholas Parsons dies: The night legendary TV and radio host brought Just A Minute to Sheffield

Legendary British broadcaster Nicholas Parsons has died at the age of 96 – but did you know the radio and TV host brought his iconic Just A Minute show to Sheffield more than twenty years ago?
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Tributes are being paid after the death of Parsons at the age of 96 after a short illness.

He had hosted Radio 4's Just A Minute since its inception in 1967 and was also known for presenting the long-running ITV game show Sale Of The Century, best remembered for its “From Norwich – It’s The Quiz Of The Week!” intro.

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"Nicholas passed away in the early hours of the 28th of January," said a statement issued by his agent Jean Diamond.

Nicholas Parsons recording Just A Minute in Sheffield in 1999. With him, from left are Tony Hawks, Linda Smith, Graham Norton and Derek Nimmo.Nicholas Parsons recording Just A Minute in Sheffield in 1999. With him, from left are Tony Hawks, Linda Smith, Graham Norton and Derek Nimmo.
Nicholas Parsons recording Just A Minute in Sheffield in 1999. With him, from left are Tony Hawks, Linda Smith, Graham Norton and Derek Nimmo.

"He was with his beloved family who will miss him enormously and who wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital."

In 1999, the iconic panel game show came to Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre where it was recorded for broadcast, being aired on March 1 that year.

It saw an early radio appearance for talk show presenter and comedian Graham Norton – but was also one of the last media appearances by actor Derek Nimmo who died between the show being recorded and it being broadcast.

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Before the show was aired, Parsons told listeners: “The recording you are about to hear features Derek Nimmo who sadly died recently.

“The BBC with the agreement of Derek's family has decided to broadcast the show as a tribute to him.

“It was incidentally his last professional engagement before his tragic fall, the consequences of which finally overwhelmed him.”

Other guests were comedians Linda Smith, who died in 2006 and Tony Hawks.

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BBC Radio 4 show Just A Minute is a long-running and popular panel game where guests are asked to speak for a full minute on a single subject without hesitation, deviation or repetition.

Graham Norton led the tributes on social media, writing: "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 showbusiness should be an inspiration to us all! Huge love to his wife Annie and his whole family."