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Service for TV legend Magnusson Tributes to 'a great storyteller'
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral service is taking place of broadcaster, journalist and writer Magnus Magnusson, who died last week at the age of 77. The funeral has taken place of writer and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson, who died last week at the age of 77.
The former presenter of BBC TV's Mastermind programme had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. The private service was held at Baldernock Church, a tiny kirk near Glasgow loved by the BBC's Mastermind presenter, who was born in Iceland.
The private service is being held at Baldernock Parish Church, near Milngavie, on the outskirts of Glasgow. A former Icelandic president was among the hundreds who attended the service, which featured two Icelandic songs.
Close family and friends have gathered for the service along with colleagues from a long and illustrious career. The Rev William Storrar described Mr Magnusson as "one of the great storytellers of our time".
The main tributes are being led by the Reverend Willie Storrar, who worked alongside Magnusson during his spell as rector of Edinburgh University. Mr Storrar worked alongside Mr Magnusson, who he said was a "true gentleman", during his spell as rector of Edinburgh University.
Senior BBC figures are among the congregation, as well as the former female president of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, and representatives of the many heritage and nature bodies where he also played a leading role. The times we spent with him recently have been quite simply, the best Jon Magnusson
The much-honoured Icelandic Scot will then be buried in the kirkyard at Baldernock, alongside his late son Siggy, who died at the age of 11 in a road accident. The broadcaster, journalist and writer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.
A memorial service for Magnus Magnusson is to be held at a later date in Glasgow. Close family and friends were joined at the service by colleagues from a long and illustrious career.
Senior BBC figures were among the congregation, along with representatives of the many heritage and nature bodies where Mr Magnusson also played a leading role.
Former Icelandic president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir talked about Mr Magnusson's Icelandic heritage, of which he was extremely proud.
She described him as "intellectually open, warm, witty and human", and someone who "always saw the funny side of things".
'Cultural institution'
"He was a cultural institution in Iceland whom the whole nation respected and admired," she said.
"We are all proud of what this son of Iceland achieved.
"It is safe to say that no-one has matched the scale on which Magnus presented Iceland to the English-speaking world."
One of the Icelandic songs played at the service was a lullaby written by Mr Magnusson's great-uncle.
Hymns included How Great Thou Art, Love Divine and Guide Me, O They Great Redeemer.
The Icelandic Government sent a wreath in the Icelandic national colours and was represented at the funeral by the Icelandic ambassador, Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson.
Mr Magnusson was a presenter on the Tonight programme
Mr Magnusson's son Jon spoke on behalf of the family, explaining that his father was away working as his children were growing up.
"The times we spent with him recently have been, quite simply, the best," he said.
"The father who had always been a little fierce, impatient and intimidating perhaps, emerged in later days as a sweet-natured dad, funny, adoring and adored."
He said that while having treatment at the Beatson Oncology unit, his father had gone outside for a "sly smoke" of his pipe, where he told his daughter Sally that the worst part of it was "the indignity."
"Over the last two months, as we watched dad cope with that indignity, he taught us all what true dignity really was," he said.
He explained how his father had "settled into his last days in a makeshift bed in the lounge, near the log fire he loved and the piano and the view of the garden and the birds and the howling Blairskaith wind.
'Immeasurably proud'
"Here, he held court in relative comfort except for the night when a giant oil painting on the wall above his bed broke its string and landed on top of him with a huge clatter.
"A foot further up and it would have killed him.
"He thought this was hilarious and he laughed about it for days and days.
"Dad never lost his wicked sense of humour."
Mr Magnusson was laid to rest in the churchyard alongside his late son Siggy, who died at the age of 11 in a road accident.
Mr Magnusson's daughter Sally, a BBC Scotland broadcaster, said: "This service was about saying goodbye to a much-loved husband and father in a quiet, simple way.
"We wanted to say thank you to the many people who contributed to the final rich and happy weeks of Magnus' life.
"And we were remembering that as my father's strength failed, the essence of the man seemed to burn the brighter - his dignity, his grace, and, above all, his unquenchable thirst for life.
"We are immeasurably proud of him."
A memorial service for Mr Magnusson is to be held at a later date in Glasgow.