Nicholas had many happy memories with Rutherglen Rep
Late TV star started out at local theatre group
Tributes have been paid to TV and radio presenter Nicholas Parsons, who went from Rutherglen Rep to becoming one of Britain’s most popular TV and radio presenters.
The Just A Minute host passed away yesterday (Tuesday) aged 96, after a short illness.
Best known for hosting the Radio 4 comedy series Just A Minute since it began in 1967, Parsons also hosted TV shows such as Sale of the Century, appeared on the likes of Have I Got News For You and the Benny Hill Show, and even guest-started on Doctor Who.
However, his earliest paid work came in the Royal Burgh in the 1940s, when he was a member of the Rep, then based at a church on East Main Street.
Parsons was working in Clydebank at the time and joined the group to indulge his passion for theatre and comedy.
Several years ago he recalled his memories with the Rep, which was at the time known as the MSU Repertory Theatre
Nicholas told the Reformer: “I have got great sentimental memories of my time in Rutherglen with Molly Urquhart’s company MSU Repertory Theatre, in the old church.
“I was an apprentice engineer in the shipyards in Clydebank at the time, and had a big rush to get back over to Rutherglen, and then afterwards get the last tram back.
“That was my first professional paid acting experience and it was a wonderful time with some great people. I can’t believe that it was in the late 1940s, getting ‘the green car doon tae Rutherglen,’ and all those wonderful people, like John Macrae, the school master, who became Duncan Macrae, and Gordon Jackson was there as well.
“Yes, I have so many happy memories of coming out to Rutherglen and appearing in those Scottish plays.
“I’m an old sentimentalist – my grandfather was Scottish, so I have a attachment to my time there, and it was a good part of my life.”
Tributes flooded in from across the showbiz world after the news of his death was announced.
Stephen Fry Tweeted: “From comedian’s sidekick to great institution, via Sale of the Century and much more. Unrivalled continuity, professionalism and commitment. Farewell x.”
Graham Norton wrote: “The sound of the final whistle. Nicholas Parsons was truly the kindest and most generous person I’ve ever worked with. His continued delight at being a part of showbusiness should be an inspiration to us all! Huge love to his wife Annie and his whole family.”
BBC director-general Tony Hall said: “Very few people have done so much to entertain audiences over the decades, and no one deserves to be called a broadcasting legend more than Nicholas Parsons.
“His charm, inventive intellect and ability to create laughs were unsurpassed.
“Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him.”