Stewart MacPherson

Stewart Myles MacPherson (29 October 1908 – 16 April 1995) was a Canadian radio and television broadcaster, who worked extensively in Britain between the 1930s and 1950s. Initially a sports commentator, he later developed a role as a compère of radio quiz shows.

Biography MacPherson was born in Winnipeg, of Scottish ancestry. He dropped out of high school, and lived with his parents while writing occasional sports reports and refereeing. After failing an audition for local radio in Winnipeg, ice hockey player Alex Archer suggested that he travel to London to find work as a reporter on games there. He made the journey in 1936, travelling to England on a slow cattle boat. He made his first broadcast in late 1937, and soon began commentating on other sports including speedway racing, swimming, cycling, and boxing, as well as special events such as the Lord Mayor's Show. Encouraged by Ed Murrow, he took a job at radio station WCCO in Minneapolis. When WCCO was sold by CBS in 1960, MacPherson declined a move to Los Angeles, and instead moved back to Winnipeg. There, he worked in television at CJAY-TV, as a newsreader, political reporter, and talk show host. He also made occasional return visits to Britain, recalling his memories of the war years.