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Norris McWhirter dies

Norris McWhirter: fell ill playing tennis
13 April 2012

Guinness Book of Records founder Norris McWhirter has died aged 78 after suffering a heart attack, his family announced today.

Mr McWhirter fell ill while playing tennis at his Wiltshire home yesterday evening, a spokeswoman for the family said.

The founder editor of the Guinness Book of Records, Mr McWhirter appeared regularly on the classic BBC children's show Record Breakers.

He is survived by his wife Tessa, daughter Jane and son Alasdair.

Mr McWhirter's family said in a statement: "Norris cared passionately about Great Britain, democracy and the rule of law and was always active in politics, but usually behind the scenes.

"The two things he attached most importance to were the freedom of the individual and the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

"Apart from his family, his great loves were visiting the 1,049 offshore British islands and having a good game of tennis. He was energetic to the last."

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BBC
Guinness World Records
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Wiltshire