Magnus Magnusson
| Magnus Magnusson | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
12 October 1929 Reykjavík, Kingdom of Iceland |
| Died | 7 January 2007 (aged 77) Balmore, Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Cause of death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Nationality | Icelandic |
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Television presenter, journalist, translator and writer |
| Known for | Mastermind presenter, translation work |
| Spouse(s) | Mamie Baird |
| Children |
Sally Siggi (b.1961, d.1973) Margaret Anna Jon |
Magnus Magnusson, KBE ([ˈmaknus ˈmaknusɔn]; 12 October 1929 – 7 January 2007) was an Icelandic journalist, translator, writer and television presenter. Born in Reykjavík, he lived in Scotland for almost all of his life, although he never took British citizenship. He came to prominence as a BBC television journalist, and was best known as the presenter of the BBC television quiz programme Mastermind, which he hosted for 25 years.
Magnus was born in Reykjavík but grew up in Edinburgh, where his father, Sigursteinn Magnússon, was the Icelandic consul. Magnus's Icelandic name at birth was Magnús Sigursteinsson (meaning Magnus, son of Sigursteinn), but in Scotland his family adopted British naming conventions and from childhood he used his father's patronymic as a surname. He was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and was in the school's marching brass band.
After graduating from Jesus College, Oxford, Magnusson became a reporter with the Scottish Daily Express and The Scotsman. He went freelance in 1967, then joined the British Broadcasting Corporation, presenting programmes on history and archaeology (including BC The Archaeology of the Bible Lands), as well as appearing in news programmes.
Magnusson presented the long-running quiz show Mastermind from 1972 to 1997. His catchphrase, which the current presenter John Humphrys has continued to use, was "I've started so I'll finish". Magnusson made cameo appearances as himself, hosting Mastermind in Morecambe and Wise as well as the children's series Dizzy Heights and as "Magnus Magnesium in The Goodies episode "Frankenfido".
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