Sir Michael Parkinson, former discuss present host and journalist, has died

Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died on the age of 88.

His agent mentioned he died peacefully at residence within the firm of his household on Wednesday night time, following a short sickness.

Sir Michael, a former journalist, was considered one of British tv’s most well-known faces via his discuss present Parkinson, which initially ran on the BBC from 1971 to 1982. He relaunched the present in 1998 earlier than it moved to ITV in 2004, remaining on air till he retired the programme in 2007.

Over greater than 800 episodes, the TV host affectionately referred to as Parky interviewed among the world’s most high-profile figures – together with Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Tom Cruise, Helen Mirren and George Michael – and helped make comic Sir Billy Connolly a family title.

Reaction as ‘best interviewer of our time’ dies – comply with stay updates

Despite his lengthy and illustrious profession, it was his 2003 interview with Meg Ryan that went down in historical past as considered one of his most memorable exhibits.

The chat present king was confronted with a stony-faced Ryan, who delivered one-word solutions as she promoted her poorly acquired erotic thriller The Cut.

More than 20 years later, he supplied an apology to the actress and admitted neither of them have been on “top form”.

He was additionally famously attacked by Emu when the puppet appeared on the chat present couch subsequent to Rod Hull, and wrestled him to the bottom. The star would typically joke that he would all the time be remembered for “that bloody bird”.

Michael Parkinson obituary: The host A-listers wished to share their secrets and techniques with

BBC to associates and interviewees – celebrities pay tribute

As tributes have been shared following the announcement of his loss of life, many remembered him as “the king of the chat show”.

Director-general of the BBC Tim Davie mentioned in an announcement: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed.

“He interviewed the most important stars of the twentieth century and did so in a manner that enthralled the general public. Michael was not solely sensible at asking questions, he was additionally a beautiful listener.

“Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed.”

Writing on X, previously referred to as Twitter, BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson mentioned: “He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year.

“Michael Parkinson – king of the chat present – has died.”

Meanwhile, former BBC News anchor Simon McCoy posted: “Simply the Best. Anyone who was anybody was interviewed by him. What an incredible profession he had. Thoughts along with his household.”

Comedian Stephen Fry described being interviewed by Sir Michael as “impossibly thrilling” as he shared his recollections.

“The genius of Parky was that (unlike most people… and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100% himself,” he wrote on Instagram. “On camera and off. ‘Authentic’ is the word I suppose.

“For one of many exhibits I used to be on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comedian velocity and brilliance. Now they’re each gone. One ought to get used to the parade of individuals continuously falling off the sting, however frankly one does not. So lengthy #parky.”

‘The coolest factor I ever noticed pre-show’

BAFTA and Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser additionally shared tributes, with Ms Fraser describing the star as a “broadcasting giant who set a gold standard for the television interview”.

Comedian Eddie Izzard remembered Sir Michael because the “king of the intelligent interview”, whereas British singer and actress Elaine Paige described him as “legendary”.

Sharing an image of the pair on X, she wrote: “Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died. Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show & attended many events with him.

“A legendary interviewer that might be remembered as the very best of his career. We won’t ever see his like once more.”

Comedian Dara O Briain shared a narrative of Sir Michael doing “the coolest thing I ever saw pre-show” throughout considered one of his three appearances on the “proper showbiz” programme.

“I was standing with the guests, waiting for the show to start,” O Briain wrote. “Michael arrived, chatted away to us, not a nerve in sight, when the band starting playing the theme tune. Michael paused, smiled and said ‘They’re playing my tune’ and walked straight out and started the show. Lovely.”

Comedian and actor Matt Lucas additionally shared a tribute, remembering Sir Michael as “a titan” of tv.

Broadcaster and writer Gyles Brandreth described the broadcaster as “one of my heroes”, saying it was a privilege to have identified and labored with him.

“They were chat shows, of course – but they were mjuch (sic) more than that: they were truly engaging conversations that brought out the best in his guests,” he mentioned.

“And what an array of guests. ‘Parky’ was one of my heroes – and a lovely guy. A privilege to have known and worked with him.”

Minute’s silence at cricket match

The world of sport additionally mourned Sir Michael’s loss of life, with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Barnsley FC each sharing tributes.

Sir Michael was a lifelong fan of cricket, along with his childhood desires of enjoying for Yorkshire dashed when he left faculty aged 16 and as an alternative started working at an area paper.

The cricket membership introduced a minute’s silence earlier than play on Thursday, whereas Barnsley FC mentioned the membership had “lost one of its favourite sons”.

Monty Python star Eric Idle, who was interviewed by the TV host in 1982, wrote on X: “Farewell Parky. A great Yorkshireman and cricket fan and a lovely interviewer to be with.”

Life earlier than TV – and the way he rose to fame

Sir Michael was an solely baby who grew up in a council home within the coalmining village of Cudworth, close to Barnsley, South Yorkshire. His father was a miner, and would take his son down the pit when he was a young person to place him off working there.

After leaving faculty, he went on to work at an area paper, later becoming a member of the Manchester Guardian after which the Daily Express.

He acquired his break in TV as a producer at Granada, shifting to Thames TV earlier than touchdown his chat present Parkinson on the BBC.

He additionally had a short-lived time period at TV-am as a part of the unique presenting line-up alongside the likes of Angela Rippon and David Frost, and appeared on the exhibits Give Us A Clue, one-off drama Ghostwatch and Going For A Song. On the radio, he hosted Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 in addition to his personal sports exhibits on Five Live.

The star acquired an honorary doctorate in 2008, alongside cricket umpire and his good pal Dickie Bird, on the Barnsley campus of Huddersfield University. He was additionally knighted by the late Queen at Buckingham Palace that very same 12 months, and mentioned of the accolade: “I never expected to be knighted – I thought there was more chance of me turning into a Martian really.”

In 2013, Sir Michael revealed he was being handled for prostate most cancers – however mentioned he had no intention of stopping working.

He had three sons with spouse Mary, who he married in 1959.