Nicholas Parsons: A knighthood? I’d say yes without even a minute’s hesitation!
HE IS one of Britain’s best- loved and longest-established broadcasters but, at the age of 94, Nicholas Parsons still craves one last triumph: a knighthood.
Asked if he would take the honour if offered, the host of Just A Minute replies – without hesitation, repetition or deviation, as required by the rules of the Radio 4 comedy quiz – ‘I would accept it.’
Speaking in an exclusive interview with today’s Event magazine as Just A Minute celebrates its 50th anniversary, he adds: ‘I’m not a fool. If someone pays you an honour you don’t insult them.’
One ‘honour’ Parsons is aware has passed him by is the chance to compete on Strictly Come Dancing – he fears it’s now too late. ‘I’d have jumped at the chance to dance 20, even ten, years ago,’ he says. ‘I used to dance fairly well. I did a very natty charleston.’ As for his own show, most guests take a light-hearted approach to Just A Minute, but Parsons reveals the one exception was Dame Esther Rantzen, left, whom he singles out as ‘overly competitive’, adding: ‘But that is her nature.’