Nicholas Parsons

Nicholas Parsons
Terry Moran · GFDL · source
Name	Nicholas Parsons
Birth date	1923
Birth place	Grantham, Lincolnshire, England
Death date	2020
Occupation	Actor, BBC presenter

Nicholas Parsons was a renowned British actor and presenter, best known for hosting the BBC Radio 4 comedy panel game Just a Minute since 1967, alongside Kenneth Williams, Clement Freud, and Derek Nimmo. He was also a regular on BBC Television, presenting shows such as Sale of the Century and The Little and Large Show. Parsons' career spanned over six decades, during which he worked with notable figures like Morecambe and Wise, The Two Ronnies, and Monty Python. He was a frequent guest on The Royal Variety Performance, The Generation Game, and The Paul O'Grady Show.

● Early Life and Education

Nicholas Parsons was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England, and attended St Paul's School, London, where he developed an interest in acting and entertainment. He later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), alongside fellow students Roger Moore, Michael Caine, and Ian Holm. Parsons' early career was influenced by his time at RADA, where he was exposed to the works of William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Noël Coward. He began his career in show business as a Repertory theatre actor, performing in productions at the Bristol Old Vic and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

● Career

Parsons' breakthrough in television came when he presented the popular game show Sale of the Century from 1971 to 1983, alongside Peter Marshall and Angela Rippon. He also hosted The Little and Large Show from 1978 to 1991, featuring the comedy duo Little and Large. Parsons worked extensively with the BBC, presenting shows such as The Royal Variety Performance, The Generation Game, and Children in Need. He was a regular guest on The Paul O'Grady Show, The Graham Norton Show, and Have I Got News for You, alongside Ian Hislop, Paul Merton, and Alexander Armstrong. Parsons' radio career included presenting Just a Minute since 1967, as well as appearing on I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue with Humphrey Lyttelton, Barry Cryer, and Graeme Garden.

● Personal Life

Parsons was married to Denise Bryer from 1954 until her death in 2011, and they had two children together. He was a longtime resident of London and was involved with various charitable organizations, including the Royal Variety Charity and the Entertainment Artistes' Benevolent Fund. Parsons was a fan of West Ham United F.C. and attended several FA Cup matches at Wembley Stadium. He was also a supporter of the Royal Shakespeare Company and attended performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

● Awards and Legacy

Throughout his career, Parsons received numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA TV Award nomination for his work on Just a Minute. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004 for his services to drama and broadcasting. Parsons was also awarded a British Comedy Award for his outstanding contribution to comedy, alongside Rowan Atkinson, John Cleese, and Eric Idle. He was a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

● Filmography

Parsons appeared in several films, including The Moonraker (1958), The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963), and Every Home Should Have One (1970), alongside Marty Feldman, John Cleese, and Peter Cook. He also made guest appearances on television shows such as Doctor Who, The Avengers, and The Saint, featuring Patrick Macnee, Roger Moore, and Ian Ogilvy. Parsons' other notable film and television credits include The Goodies, The Two Ronnies, and Monty Python's Flying Circus, which starred Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Category:British actors