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Final farewell to TV's Magnusson Final farewell to TV's Magnusson
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral has taken place of writer and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson, who died last week at the age of 77.The funeral has taken place of writer and broadcaster Magnus Magnusson, who died last week at the age of 77.
The private service was held at Baldernock Church, a tiny kirk near Glasgow loved by the BBC's Mastermind presenter, who was born in Iceland.The private service was held at Baldernock Church, a tiny kirk near Glasgow loved by the BBC's Mastermind presenter, who was born in Iceland.
A former Icelandic president was among almost 200 who attended the service, which featured two Icelandic songs.A former Icelandic president was among almost 200 who attended the service, which featured two Icelandic songs.
The Rev William Storrar described Mr Magnusson as "one of the great storytellers of our time".The Rev William Storrar described Mr Magnusson as "one of the great storytellers of our time".
Mr Storrar worked alongside Mr Magnusson, who he said was a "true gentleman", during his spell as rector of Edinburgh University.Mr Storrar worked alongside Mr Magnusson, who he said was a "true gentleman", during his spell as rector of Edinburgh University.
The times we spent with him recently have been quite simply, the best Jon Magnusson Tribute to 'renaissance man'The times we spent with him recently have been quite simply, the best Jon Magnusson Tribute to 'renaissance man'
The broadcaster, journalist and writer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.The broadcaster, journalist and writer was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.
Close family and friends were joined at the service by colleagues from a long and illustrious career.Close family and friends were joined at the service by colleagues from a long and illustrious career.
Senior BBC figures were among the congregation, along with representatives of the many heritage and nature bodies where Mr Magnusson also played a leading role.Senior BBC figures were among the congregation, along with representatives of the many heritage and nature bodies where Mr Magnusson also played a leading role.
Former Icelandic president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir talked about Mr Magnusson's Icelandic heritage, of which he was extremely proud.Former Icelandic president Vigdís Finnbogadóttir talked about Mr Magnusson's Icelandic heritage, of which he was extremely proud.
She described him as "intellectually open, warm, witty and human", and someone who "always saw the funny side of things".She described him as "intellectually open, warm, witty and human", and someone who "always saw the funny side of things".
'Cultural institution''Cultural institution'
"He was a cultural institution in Iceland whom the whole nation respected and admired," she said."He was a cultural institution in Iceland whom the whole nation respected and admired," she said.
"We are all proud of what this son of Iceland achieved."We are all proud of what this son of Iceland achieved.
"It is safe to say that no-one has matched the scale on which Magnus presented Iceland to the English-speaking world.""It is safe to say that no-one has matched the scale on which Magnus presented Iceland to the English-speaking world."
One of the Icelandic songs played at the service was a lullaby written by Mr Magnusson's great-uncle.One of the Icelandic songs played at the service was a lullaby written by Mr Magnusson's great-uncle.
Hymns included How Great Thou Art, Love Divine and Guide Me, O Thy Great Redeemer.Hymns included How Great Thou Art, Love Divine and Guide Me, O Thy Great Redeemer.
Family and friends took part in the private service The Icelandic Government paid tribute to a famous countryman
The Icelandic Government sent a wreath in the Icelandic national colours and was represented at the funeral by the Icelandic ambassador, Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson.The Icelandic Government sent a wreath in the Icelandic national colours and was represented at the funeral by the Icelandic ambassador, Sverrir Haukur Gunnlaugsson.
Mr Magnusson's son Jon spoke on behalf of the family, explaining that his father was away working as his children were growing up.Mr Magnusson's son Jon spoke on behalf of the family, explaining that his father was away working as his children were growing up.
"The times we spent with him recently have been, quite simply, the best," he said."The times we spent with him recently have been, quite simply, the best," he said.
"The father who had always been a little fierce, impatient and intimidating perhaps, emerged in later days as a sweet-natured dad, funny, adoring and adored.""The father who had always been a little fierce, impatient and intimidating perhaps, emerged in later days as a sweet-natured dad, funny, adoring and adored."
He said that while having treatment at the Beatson Oncology unit, his father had gone outside for a "sly smoke" of his pipe, where he told his daughter Sally that the worst part of his illness was "the indignity".He said that while having treatment at the Beatson Oncology unit, his father had gone outside for a "sly smoke" of his pipe, where he told his daughter Sally that the worst part of his illness was "the indignity".
"Over the last two months, as we watched dad cope with that indignity, he taught us all what true dignity really was," he said."Over the last two months, as we watched dad cope with that indignity, he taught us all what true dignity really was," he said.
He explained how his father had "settled into his last days in a makeshift bed in the lounge, near the log fire he loved and the piano and the view of the garden and the birds and the howling Blairskaith wind".He explained how his father had "settled into his last days in a makeshift bed in the lounge, near the log fire he loved and the piano and the view of the garden and the birds and the howling Blairskaith wind".
'Immeasurably proud''Immeasurably proud'
"Here, he held court in relative comfort except for the night when a giant oil painting on the wall above his bed broke its string and landed on top of him with a huge clatter," Jon Magnusson said."Here, he held court in relative comfort except for the night when a giant oil painting on the wall above his bed broke its string and landed on top of him with a huge clatter," Jon Magnusson said.
"A foot further up and it would have killed him."A foot further up and it would have killed him.
"He thought this was hilarious and he laughed about it for days and days."He thought this was hilarious and he laughed about it for days and days.
"Dad never lost his wicked sense of humour.""Dad never lost his wicked sense of humour."
Mr Magnusson was laid to rest in the churchyard alongside his late son Siggy, who died at the age of 11 in a road accident.Mr Magnusson was laid to rest in the churchyard alongside his late son Siggy, who died at the age of 11 in a road accident.
Mr Magnusson was laid to rest in a ceremony at Baldernock ChurchMr Magnusson was laid to rest in a ceremony at Baldernock Church
Mr Magnusson's daughter Sally, a BBC Scotland broadcaster, said: "This service was about saying goodbye to a much-loved husband and father in a quiet, simple way. Mr Magnusson's daughter Sally, a BBC broadcaster, said: "This service was about saying goodbye to a much-loved husband and father in a quiet, simple way.
"We wanted to say thank you to the many people who contributed to the final rich and happy weeks of Magnus' life."We wanted to say thank you to the many people who contributed to the final rich and happy weeks of Magnus' life.
"And we were remembering that as my father's strength failed, the essence of the man seemed to burn the brighter - his dignity, his grace, and, above all, his unquenchable thirst for life."And we were remembering that as my father's strength failed, the essence of the man seemed to burn the brighter - his dignity, his grace, and, above all, his unquenchable thirst for life.
"We are immeasurably proud of him.""We are immeasurably proud of him."
A memorial service for Mr Magnusson is to be held at a later date in Glasgow.A memorial service for Mr Magnusson is to be held at a later date in Glasgow.