Mastermind's Magnus Magnusson dies, aged 77

Former Mastermind host Magnus Magnusson died at his home near Glasgow, it was announced.

The presenter, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October, died peacefully at 6.45pm last night, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Mamie, to whom he was married for 52 years, and his four surviving children, Sally, Margaret, Anna and Jon.

His elder son Siggy died in 1973.

In a statement, his children said: "Magnus was the most generous, steadfast, loving and loved of husbands and fathers.

"He taught each of us how to live, and in the last few weeks he has taught us how to die. He did both with infinite grace."

Magnusson, 77, was best known for the BBC quiz show he hosted for 25 years and for coining the catchphrase "I've started so I'll finish".

Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, said: "For millions of viewers Magnus Magnusson was one of the defining faces and voices of the BBC.

"To the contestants of Mastermind, he was a tough but always fair questionmaster, but behind this screen persona there was a family man of tremendous warmth and humanity.

"All our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time, and everyone at the BBC will share their tremendous sense of loss."

Magnusson was born in Iceland but moved to Scotland at an early age.

He studied English at Jesus College, Oxford, before launching his journalistic career at the Scottish Daily Express and then The Scotsman.

He became a veteran TV presenter, and hosted Mastermind since its first recording in 1972.

The show quickly became known for its distinctive theme music and intimidating black leather contestant's chair.

At the height of its popularity, around 22 million viewers tuned in to watch contestants answer questions on obscure specialist subjects and general knowledge.

Magnusson was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1989.

He has served as Chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University since 2002.

He also published several books and translated a number of modern Icelandic novels and ical sagas.

In 2004 he had to undergo emergency abdominal surgery after reportedly suffering a ruptured stomach abscess.

London cab driver Fred Housego, Mastermind's most famous winner, paid tribute to the quizmaster who also became his friend.

He told BBC News 24: "With him sitting there in the dark with (scorer) Mary Craig, who sat beside him all dressed in black, he never ever became personal with you during the quiz.

"He really was an interrogator, he was a nasty man, until the programme was finished and then you had a drink with him and you realised what an absolutely delightful human being he was, and that was what was Magnus' skill - his strength and his loveabilty if you like."

Mr Housego, who won the Mastermind title in 1980 with specialist subjects Henry II, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London, added: "I worked with Mag for about five or six other events after that, we did promotions together and so on and he really was a delight, a human being of the first kidney.

"He used to say he would never sit in the black chair, he didn't think he could do it.

"Honestly, if he ever took it up he would have won hands down."

Broadcaster John Humphrys, who has presented Mastermind since 2003, told the Stephen Nolan show on BBC Radio Five Live that Magnusson was "irreplaceable".

He added: "You don't replace somebody like Magnus, you take over the job, but you can't replace him, the programme was his - he was Mastermind.

"He came onto the programme literally a couple of months ago to present the prize to this year's winner and he was absolutely delightful.

"I didn't know then that he was as ill as he obviously was, but he was charming, he was funny, he was gracious, he was a lovely man."

Asked to pinpoint Magnusson's great talent Humphrys, a presenter of Radio 4's Today programme, replied: "Impossible to do that, you just have to say his personality. And what's that? How do you define a man's personality?

"He was completely at ease with the programme, I suppose that's what it is. He managed to pull off that incredible trick in broadcasting of being a figure of authority and also a friendly face - he was that mixture.

"He's been described as avuncular, but I don't suppose you'd regard him as avuncular if you were sitting in the black chair with that spotlight on you and the remorseless Magnusson firing away the questions."

Copyright Press Association 2007