Sir Clement Freud Has Died Aged 84.

[Kan Win]

I remember him back in the old days on the BBC.

****

Writer Clement Freud dies aged 84

A statement from his family said Sir Clement had died on Wednesday evening at his London home.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, the actress Jill Freud, five children and 17 grandchildren. His funeral will be held next week.

A grandson of psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, Sir Clement had a varied career as a cookery expert, press columnist and radio game show contestant.

Renowned for his lugubrious expression and mournful voice, he was a regular panellist on the BBC's Just a Minute for more than 30 years.

Comedian Tony Hawks, another regular on the long-running Radio 4 show, remembered him being a "formidable" character.

"I had listened to the show as a boy, so meeting him was like meeting a hero," he told BBC Breakfast.

"You always knew he would be a challenging performer. Through his great intellect he'd always bring out the best in you."

Writer and broadcaster Stephen Fry has also paid tribute, remembering Sir Clement as an "immensely generous, benevolent and charming man".

"My favourite memory is of him in full flow on Just a Minute, still able to trip up people a quarter of his age," he told Radio 4's Today programme.

Idiosyncratic

Born in 1924, the young Clement Freud began his career in the hotel business before turning to journalism.

He started writing on cookery for newspapers and magazines in the 1950s, later expanding into a variety of subjects, including sport.

His idiosyncratic pet food commercials with Henry the dog, first broadcast in the 1960s, launched him on a long career as a television and radio personality.

He was a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's Just a Minute (top left with a beard)

His political career began in 1973, when - against the odds - he won the Isle of Ely constituency for the Liberal Party.

Ten years later he transferred to North East Cambridgeshire, a seat he held until 1987. He was knighted the same year.

Sir Clement worked for a string of titles, including the Observer, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Express.

Last year he wrote about his death in The Times, claiming his relatives would want to inherit his wine.

"I took my children around our flat in turns to glean who wanted to have what when we died," he wrote.

"They all wanted all the wine, my wife's desk, my collection of cookery books and the same picture, so that will be no trouble."

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg also paid tribute saying: "Clement Freud was part of a generation of larger than life figures who kept the Liberal Party alive through thick and thin.

"It is astonishing to remember all the things he did, all the things he was - wit, raconteur, politician, chef, advertiser of dog food, writer, comedian, a devoted father, husband and grandfather and someone who could never resist a flutter.

"They don't make people like that anymore and he will be sorely missed by millions," he added.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8001383.stm

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Rest in Peace, Sir Clement I did enjoy listening and see you on shows

[phaethon]

To stop this worthy thread being closed we need a quick Thailand link:

This page contains a transcript of the show "Just a Minute" in which Clement Freud remonsterates with the worthless shit-for-brains Gyles "I can't spell Giles" Brandreth over the naming of Thailand/Siam.

http://www.geocities.com/deanbedford/jam700.html

Clement worked on the show until just a few weeks ago - I will miss him, especially if he is replaced by that gobsh*te Brandreth

Edited April 16, 2009 by phaethon

[zzdocxx]

Sounds like an interesting show, never heard of it before.

[endure]

Sounds like an interesting show, never heard of it before.

BBC Radio 4 has some really good programmes. It's the 'real' BBC not the rubbish that's on TV in Thailand. You can listen live to lots of their programmes here.

Edited April 16, 2009 by endure

[phaethon]

When I threw out my TV in disgust a few years ago, it was Radio 4 that sustained me until I could escape here. I still dip in via iPlayer (Friday night comedy, In Our Time etc.).

[suegha]

A great guy ( and a great show - just a minute. I have been listening for 25+ years!) He will be missed...

RIP

[zzdocxx]

Thanks Endure, I will check it out. I found the transcript interesting, I've never seen a show quite like that.

[Goshawk]

i will always remember this guy for his 'minced morsels' dog food TV commercials in the 70's..

was it Henry..? the bloodhound..? can't find any link to those ads anywhere on the web, would love to see em again..

[phaethon]

You can see him and, yes, Henry here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3847887.stm

[Zpete]

I rember him most on many fab nites listening to the BBC,

...... "Just a Minute" ........ for more than 30 years.

Yeah, I am that old.

One of the best ever radio programmes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8001409.stm

Hope the above link works for you, does for me.

[endure]

Thanks Endure, I will check it out. I found the transcript interesting, I've never seen a show quite like that.

Try listening to some of the 'In Our Time' programmes.

[phaethon]

Also "From Our Own Correspondent" (World Service version as well as R4) - many reports have transcripts on their website which can be used for teaching (UI-Adv.)