Fred Housego

Fred Housego (born 25 October 1944 in Dundee, Scotland) is a former London taxi driver and tour guide who became a television and radio personality and presenter after winning the BBC television quiz Mastermind in 1980. Notwithstanding his fame and success, he retained his taxi licence upon commencing his media career and continued his taxi-driving career as late as 2007.

Early life and career Housego was educated at Kynaston Comprehensive School, where he passed one GCE O-level, in British Constitution. In addition to driving a taxi he has worked as a messenger for an advertising agency, a postman and a registered London Tourist Board tour guide.

Mastermind In 1980 Housego won a series of Mastermind in front of 18 million viewers. In an interview with Bradley Walsh for Come on Down! The Game Show Story, he said that his knowledge came from being a London Tourist Board-registered tour guide.

In 1981 Housego took part in the international version of Mastermind in Sydney, Australia. He again used The Tower of London as his subject in the competition, having previously used it as his subject in the Mastermind final. He came fourth with 16 points.

Television and radio Housego's specialist subject in the final of Mastermind was 'The Tower of London'. Apart from Mastermind, his television appearances 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 the host of an all-night radio phone-in show, in London, on LBC for many years during the 1990s.