Big Red Book

Celebrating television's This Is Your Life

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THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Magnus Magnusson, journalist and television presenter, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of former taxi driver Fred Housego - during a reception for his new book at the home of the Icelandic Ambassador in central London.

Magnus, who was born in Reykjavik, Iceland, grew up in Scotland and was educated at the Edinburgh Academy and Jesus College, Oxford. He began his journalistic career as a reporter for the Scottish Daily Express before becoming assistant editor of the Scotsman newspaper in 1961.

Having joined the BBC in 1964, Magnus worked as a reporter on the current affairs programme Tonight before presenting the Chronicle series on history and archaeology for ten years. In 1972, he became host of the BBC quiz show Mastermind - retiring from the show in 1997 after 25 years. In addition, he also wrote books on the Vikings and Norse legends.

"You're joking! That's wonderful! What can on say? I'll kill 'em!"

programme details...

• Edition No: 975
• Subject No: 950
• Broadcast date: Mon 8 Sep 1997
• Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
• Recorded: Thu 4 Sep 1997
• Venue: unknown
• Series: 38
• Edition: 2
• Code name: Ice

on the guest list...

• Mamie - wife
• Sally - daughter
• Anna - daughter
• Margaret - daughter
• Jon - son
• Fred Housego
• Lolo - sister
• Nigel - brother-in-law
• Charles Clark
• Jack Campbell
• Anna - sister-in-law
• Ian McDonald
• Cliff Michelmore
• David Collison
• Nancy Wilkinson
• Dr Will Storer
• Vigdis Finnbogadottir
• Jamie - grandson
• Siggi - grandson
• Anna-Lisa - granddaughter
• Magnus - grandson
• Rossi - grandson
• Calum - grandson
• Robbie - grandson
• Ella - granddaughter

related appearances...

• Fred Housego - Feb 1981
• Bill Oddie - Jan 2002

production team...

• Researcher: Ruth Malone
• Writer: Ian Brown
• Directors: John Gorman, Steve Docherty
• Associate Producer: Liz Rawlings
• Executive Producer: John Longley
• Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
• Producer: Sue Green

• names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

Presenting Life

celebrating the hosts

Screenshots of Magnus Magnusson This Is Your Life