Just a Minute competitors in the show's history: Freud and Nimmo appeared from the first programme in 1967, while Williams joined in the show's second series in 1968. Jones made his début in 1971. After Williams' death in 1988, Merton (a long-time fan of the show) contacted the producer at Nicholas Parsons' suggestion and was invited to participate during the following year. Nimmo died in 1999, Jones in 2000 and Freud in 2009, leaving Merton as the only regular, albeit he is not in every edition. Each of the regulars brought their individual style to playing the game. Clement Freud liked to make
Ian Messiter Ian Messiter Ian Cassan Messiter (2 April 1920 – 22 November 1999) was a BBC Radio producer and the creator of a number of panel games, including "Just a Minute", and "Many a Slip". Messiter also brought the successful "Twenty Questions" format to BBC Radio. He was also the Programme Associate on "Family Fortunes". Messiter was born in Dudley, Worcestershire and educated at Sherborne School in Dorset. He acted as whistle blower on both "One Minute Please" and "Just a Minute". He appeared in the first series of the BBC science-fiction quiz show "The Adventure Game" in 1980 as the