Nicholas Parsons: 'Broadcasting legend' dies at 96 after short illness:-
https://www.bbc.co.u...t-arts-51278023
Obituary: Nicholas Parsons
"He had early ambitions to be an actor but his parents opposed the idea, his mother believing show business was fit only for "drunks and low-lifes".
Instead, a few strings were pulled through family contacts and he joined a shipbuilding company on Clydeside to train as an engineer.
Thrown into a tough working environment, he was forced to resort to jokes and impersonations to win over the Glasgow shipbuilders who regarded him as a posh boy. The experience helped launch his show business career."
https://www.bbc.co.u...t-arts-11808907
This Week’s Star Prize! – (Sale of the Century – Anglia Television 1971–1983)
‘And now from Norwich – it’s the quiz of the week!’ For 12 years those words heralded 30 minutes of glorious retroness, the show at its peak would attract more than 21m viewers as contestants battled it out for prizes, contestants apparently mesmerised by Nicholas Parson’s choice of blazers and the awesome sight of this week’s four-wheeled prize. The show’s ace voice man, John Benson would frequently enthuse over the luxury features of a Mini City or 1000 - namely ‘a heated rear window’ and ‘a rear fog lamp' or in later years an entry-level Austin Mini Metro, usually sourced from a local dealer. This 1983 clip dates from the last days of Sale of Century and on this fine Metro City someone has evidently switched on the hazard lights in a vain attempt to distract from its single door mirror and non-halogen headlamps....
Brand new Minis were often the 'Star Prize' on 'Sale Of The Century' (pictured, in 1975)