I often thought it was nice that he obviously kept in good physical and mental health well into old age, he was still very sharp and fluid in his speech, didn't appear to have difficulty hearing etc. As he says he had no intention of retiring, and perhaps that helped, he was certainly blessed to be able to still work at a high standard and seem, as you say, ageless. That bit about him being nicknamed Shirley by his school friends and his mother's reaction was hilarious. It's interesting to hear how he worked as an apprentice engineer barely out of school, he was so well spoken and it sounds as if his school was a rather posh one. I never knew he was a good mimic either, I only knew him as a slick and capable presenter of various shows (I was only born in '81 though so I suppose I missed a lot of his career).
There is a strength and confidence in him which probably explains why he lasted so long. I saw Just a Minute live a few years back and his was sharp and definitely in control; wanting the best possible for the audience. A great wit too.
I had the pleasure of meeting Nicholas Parsons in 1999 when he (and others) stayed at a hotel I was reception manager at in Dartmouth Devon, as they were recording Just A Minute at the Naval College. He was really nice, and rather concerned about his wife Anne’s health, at the time. A really charming man. There was also Sir Clement Freud, Julian Clary (“do you valet park…?” “No” “oh… < unimpressed face >”. I also could’ve sworn Simon Pegg came but he’s never done JAM so no idea who it was. Might have been Simon Williams, apparently Linda Smith might have been there too but I don’t remember her, sadly. The BBC warned us that Freud was a difficult man.
That was brilliant. Seeing him. Escaping Rik and Ade in a helicopter was a revelation. He's also superb, and I really mean that, as the Vicar who has lost his faith, due to the war, in the classic Doctor Who story 'The Curse Of Fenric'. It costs him dearly, in the end.
Drysdale Brothers (Larbert) Ltd - direct decedents of Drysdale & Co are thriving in their third generation with David Drysdale in the role of Managing Director.
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Class, style, humility- a gentleman and consummate professional. Beautiful voice
A wonderful old school entertainer. He was 85 in this interview but seems ageless.
I often thought it was nice that he obviously kept in good physical and mental health well into old age, he was still very sharp and fluid in his speech, didn't appear to have difficulty hearing etc. As he says he had no intention of retiring, and perhaps that helped, he was certainly blessed to be able to still work at a high standard and seem, as you say, ageless. That bit about him being nicknamed Shirley by his school friends and his mother's reaction was hilarious. It's interesting to hear how he worked as an apprentice engineer barely out of school, he was so well spoken and it sounds as if his school was a rather posh one. I never knew he was a good mimic either, I only knew him as a slick and capable presenter of various shows (I was only born in '81 though so I suppose I missed a lot of his career).
He contributed so much to the world of entertainment, and made me laugh countless times over the years. Top gent!
There is a strength and confidence in him which probably explains why he lasted so long. I saw Just a Minute live a few years back and his was sharp and definitely in control; wanting the best possible for the audience. A great wit too.
Loved Nicholas, such a smart and very funny man. He's missed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Nicholas Parsons in 1999 when he (and others) stayed at a hotel I was reception manager at in Dartmouth Devon, as they were recording Just A Minute at the Naval College. He was really nice, and rather concerned about his wife Anne’s health, at the time. A really charming man.
There was also Sir Clement Freud, Julian Clary (“do you valet park…?” “No” “oh… < unimpressed face >”. I also could’ve sworn Simon Pegg came but he’s never done JAM so no idea who it was. Might have been Simon Williams, apparently Linda Smith might have been there too but I don’t remember her, sadly. The BBC warned us that Freud was a difficult man.
Who remembers him in Mr Jolly Lives Next Door? "It's Nicholas Bloody Parsons!"
That was brilliant. Seeing him. Escaping Rik and Ade in a helicopter was a revelation.
He's also superb, and I really mean that, as the Vicar who has lost his faith, due to the war, in the classic Doctor Who story 'The Curse Of Fenric'. It costs him dearly, in the end.
A thoroughly nice bloke.
''Him and Cliff are very good at what they do.''
Us outside the UK know Knickerless best from The Benny Hill Show where he was a regular from 1968 til 1974.
The interviewer is often heard on R4.
For the millionth time ....how about showing the rest ???
Drysdale Brothers (Larbert) Ltd - direct decedents of Drysdale & Co are thriving in their third generation with David Drysdale in the role of Managing Director.