THE chairman of Worcestershire County Council has paid tribute to his friend Nicholas Parsons, who has died aged 96.

Peter Tomlinson said he first met the 'Just a Minute' host in 1974 when he was a supporter of the Lord's Taverners.

Together the pair attended many events for the organisation, which helps youth cricket and disability sports.

Councillor Tomlinson said: "Nicholas was very human, a warm and caring man and delightful company.

"What you saw was what you got with him, he was bouncy, cheerful and very authentic.

"I am genuinely greatly saddened to hear of his passing."

Cllr Tomlinson also fondly recalled how he once slipped a disc playing cricket, and Nicholas Parsons jokingly asked his TV film crew to capture the moment.

Nicholas Parsons' death was announced earlier today. A statement from his agent Jean Diamond said: "Nicholas passed away in the early hours of the 28th of January after a short illness at the age of 96.

"He was with his beloved family who will miss him enormously and who wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital."

BBC director-general Tony Hall said: "Very few people have done so much to entertain audiences over the decades, and no one deserves to be called a broadcasting legend more than Nicholas Parsons.

"His charm, inventive intellect and ability to create laughs were unsurpassed. Our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him."

BBC Radio 4 has announced it will broadcast a special episode of Just A Minute at 6.30pm tonight including highlights of great moments from different episodes.

It will also air Nicholas Parsons in Conversation with Paul Merton at 11pm.

Both programmes were first broadcast to mark 50 years of Just A Minute.