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| TV's Magnus Magnusson dies at 77 | TV's Magnus Magnusson dies at 77 |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The former presenter of BBC TV's Mastermind programme, Magnus Magnusson, has died at the age of 77. | The former presenter of BBC TV's Mastermind programme, Magnus Magnusson, has died at the age of 77. |
| Mr Magnusson, who was born in Iceland, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October last year. | Mr Magnusson, who was born in Iceland, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October last year. |
| He came to Scotland at the age of one and spent his life working as a journalist, writer and broadcaster. | He came to Scotland at the age of one and spent his life working as a journalist, writer and broadcaster. |
| Mr Magnusson, who is survived by a wife and four children, was known for his catchphrase "I've started so I'll finish" on the long-running quiz show. | Mr Magnusson, who is survived by a wife and four children, was known for his catchphrase "I've started so I'll finish" on the long-running quiz show. |
| His family said he died peacefully at his home near Glasgow on Sunday evening in the presence of his wife Mamie and children Sally, Margaret, Anna and Jon. His elder son Siggy died in 1973. | His family said he died peacefully at his home near Glasgow on Sunday evening in the presence of his wife Mamie and children Sally, Margaret, Anna and Jon. His elder son Siggy died in 1973. |
| He loved what he did and we stayed friends for many years and off camera. What a joy Fred HousegoMastermind winner href="/1/hi/uk/3561915.stm" class="">Obituary: Magnus Magnusson | |
| 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." | 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." |
| BBC director general Mark Thompson led tributes to one of the most familiar faces on British television. | BBC director general Mark Thompson led tributes to one of the most familiar faces on British television. |
| "For millions of viewers of viewers Magnus Magnusson was one of the defining faces and voices of the BBC," said Mr Thompson. | "For millions of viewers of viewers Magnus Magnusson was one of the defining faces and voices of the BBC," said Mr Thompson. |
| "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. | "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." | "All our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time, and everyone at the BBC will share their tremendous sense of loss." |
| Honorary knighthood | Honorary knighthood |
| One of Mastermind's most famous winners, Fred Housego, said Mr Magnusson's serious on-screen persona was deceptive. | One of Mastermind's most famous winners, Fred Housego, said Mr Magnusson's serious on-screen persona was deceptive. |
| "He was a delight. He had a rich sense of humour. He loved what he did and we stayed friends for many years and off camera. What a joy," he said. | "He was a delight. He had a rich sense of humour. He loved what he did and we stayed friends for many years and off camera. What a joy," he said. |
| Mr Magnusson joined the BBC in 1964 as a presenter on the Tonight programme before going on to host Mastermind for 25 years from 1972. | Mr Magnusson joined the BBC in 1964 as a presenter on the Tonight programme before going on to host Mastermind for 25 years from 1972. |
| In 2004 he had to undergo emergency abdominal surgery after reportedly suffering a ruptured stomach abscess. | In 2004 he had to undergo emergency abdominal surgery after reportedly suffering a ruptured stomach abscess. |
| Mr Magnusson was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1989 and had served as chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University since 2002. | Mr Magnusson was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1989 and had served as chancellor of Glasgow Caledonian University since 2002. |