Magnus Magnusson

Shows

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, 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.

Trivia

He was presented with the original Mastermind chair when the series ended in 1997. Famously he always refused to sit in it, despite constantly being requested to do so.

He was disgnosed with cancer in October 2006.