Knut Bjørnsen (26 July 1932 – 14 November 2008) was a sports commentator and journalist for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation.
Knut Bjørnsen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 July 1932 |
| Died | 14 November 2008 (aged 76) |
| Occupation(s) | Sports commentator (1961–1991), Journalist (1954–2008), Television host (1966–1994) |
| Spouse(s) | Karin Bjørnsen, since 1988 |
In his youth, Bjørnsen was a promising speed skater. He was junior Norwegian champion in 1951.[1] He worked for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation between 1961 and 1991, and was NRK's main commentator for speed skating most of those years, together with fellow NRK veteran journalist Per Jorsett.[2] He also hosted the popular Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation game show Kvitt eller dobbelt ("Double or Nothing") for many years.[2] In 1991, Bjørnsen left the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, and began working for cable channel TV3, where he hosted the game show Lykkehjulet (a Norwegian adaptation of Wheel of Fortune).[1]
In his later years, he spoke out as a supporter of the Progress Party, having lost his confidence in the Conservative Party.[3]
In April 2008, Bjørnsen was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and he died from the illness seven months later, on 14 November 2008.[1]