Nearly a year on from the death of the inimitable Nicholas Parson BBC Radio 4 has finally decided to continue its long-running panel gamer Just a Minute with tried and tested players of the game in the host’s chair.
Already lined up for the job are old favourites like Paul Merton, Gyles Brandreth, Jo Brand , Stephen Fry, Lucy Porter and Nish Kumar. More will follow.
In all 10 guest presenters will take turns in the hosting the game as players attempt to speak for a minute without hesitation, repetition or deviating from the chosen subject.
Nicholas was of course the master of the art and had been hosting the game since it was first broadcast way back in 1967. To many he seemed irreplaceable.
Frankly he also seemed indestructible, The fact that he kept firing on all cylinders until shortly before his death at the remarkable age of 96 took the pressure off the BBC to an extent. It must have been dreading the day when the ultimate safe pair of hands was no longer with us.
For much of the past year Nicholas has of course still been in much evidence, presenting the show from beyond the grave in a series of tributes and repeats.
Inevitably though past recordings - even 50 years worth - only have so much currency and now the time has come to bite the bullet. The decision to do the show or continue it with someone else in the driving seat cannot have been easy.
But as was proved when the producers of I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue had to continue without Humphrey Lyttelton, no one is irreplaceable.
They may be brilliant, inspired and unique but there is always someone else who can bring a different talent to the role. Savour your memories of the extraordinary talent that was Nicholas Parsons. We shall not see his like again but Just A Minute lives on.