The Jewish Chronicle

Sir Clement Freud dies

April 16, 2009 14:05
Rabbi Mendel Jacobs of Shul in the Park, Glasgow, holding one of the special editions of the Gutnick Passover haggadah which was presented at a special ceremony during Pesach to over 20  pre- and post-barmitzvah boys that attend the shul regularly.

ByAnonymous, Anonymous

1 min read

The Broadcaster and former Liberal MP Sir Clement Freud has died at his home in London.

Best known for his deadpan performances on the Radio 4 comedy panel show, Just A Minute, the Berlin-born actor came to Britain with his family as Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany in 1934.

He was the grandson of Sigmund Freud and the brother of Lucian Freud, the artist. He had five children including Matthew Freud, the PR executive, and Emma Freud, the broadcaster.

During the Second World War, he worked as an aide to Field Marshal Montgomery before making his name as a chef at the Dorchester Hotel running his own restaurant in London’s Sloane Square.

He went on to run a nightclub, write an award-winning food and drink column and found greater fame via a series of advertisements for Minced Morsels dog food, appearing alongside a bloodhound called Henry.

He appeared in the first episode of Just A Minute in 1967 and returned to take part in every subsequent series.

He became the Liberal MP for the Isle of Ely in 1973 and remained in the post until 1988. He received a knighthood on leaving Parliament.

His wife was June Flewett - later Jill Freud - who is said to have been the inspiration for the character of Lucy Pevensie in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, in 1950.

His funeral is to be held next week.