Magnus Magnusson
Biography
I still get taxi drivers who say 'Aha - Starter for ten!' and I have to say 'wrong bloody programme'. - Magnus Magnusson, 2002
Vying with Bjork for the title of Britain's best-known Icelander, where he was born in 1929, Magnus Magnusson grew up in Edinburgh where his father was the Icelandic consul. He was a journalist before shooting to fame through Mastermind, but he also had the scholarly credentials to back-up the erudite image, having written extensively on the history and culture of Iceland, and translating many of the Icelandic sagas into English.
He was diagnosed with cancer in October 2006 and died on 7th January 2007.
Trivia
He was presented with the original Mastermind chair when the series ended in 1997. Famously he always refused to sit in it until the very last show, despite constantly being requested to do so. His reason was that he didn't want to be compared to the clever people who came on the programme.
He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1989.
Books / Tapes
I've Started So I'll Finish (hardback) (paperback)
