Norris McWhirter dies
The Record Breakers pundit has died.
Norris McWhirter, the creator of the Guinness Book of Records and a regular expert on Record Breakers, has died aged 78, after suffering a heart attack.
McWhirter co-created the Guinness Book of Records with his brother in the mid-1950s.
The book, which catalogues human triumphs and natural extremes, has since been translated into 37 languages and sold more than 87 million copies around the world.
The Guinness Book of Records formed the basis of the BBC children's series Record Breakers, which began in 1972.
Each week McWhirter joined presenter Roy Castle to adjudicate over various record attempts. He also answered questions from the audience about feats listed in the book. These were answered from memory and never rehearsed.
McWhirter is survived by his wife Tessa, daughter Jane and son Alasdair.
BBC News reportWorld of Cult web guide:
Embarrassing language blunders
