Fred Housego

Fred Housego (born 25 October 1944, Dundee, Scotland) was a 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", 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.

Publications

*"London: a portrait of Britain's historic capital", Hamlyn, 1982, ISBN 0600342949

External links

*imdb name|id=0396713|name=Fred Housego