Fred Housego
Fred Housego (born 25 October 1944, Dundee, Scotland) is a former London taxi driver who became a television and radio personality and presenter after winning the BBC quiz Mastermind in 1980. His specialist subject in the final was 'The Tower of London'. However, he did not give up his taxi licence and continued to drive a cab throughout his subsequent media career.
He was educated at Kynaston Comprehensive School (where he passed one GCE O-level in British Constitution) and also worked as a messenger for an advertising agency, a postman and a registered London Tourist Board tour guide.
Apart from Mastermind, television appearances by Fred Housego include Blankety Blank, The Pyramid Game, History On Your Doorstep, The Six O'Clock Show (on which he was a presenter) and This is Your Life.
However, it is radio where Housego has spent most of his broadcasting career, and he became well known to Londoners as the host of an all-night radio phone-in show on LBC for many years during the 1990s. He also presented an LBC series about radio comedy during the same period. More recently he has been heard on BBC Radio 4 presenting a documentary and on various Radio 4 panel games and quizzes. He has also appeared on Start the Week and as a contestant on Round Britain Quiz on BBC Radio 4.
In keeping with his knowledge of London, he has published a book entitled Fred Housego's London.
He was the Pye TV Personality of the Year in 1981 and spoke to the Oxford and Cambridge Unions.
Fred is also a keen West Ham United supporter and has made several appearances at the ground during half-time presenting various awards.
Fred was the "phone a friend" of Angela Rippon on "Who wants to be a MIllionaire" - who was asked in which month was St Crispens day (Henry V)- Fred chose April - however Fred was born on St Crispens day which is in October
Publications
- London: a portrait of Britain's historic capital, Hamlyn, 1982, ISBN 0-600-34294-9
References
External links
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