Michael Parkinson dead at 88: Legendary broadcaster and talk show host who interviewed the great and the good from John Lennon to Muhammad Ali passes away

Sir Michael Parkinson – one of the greatest broadcasters in history – has died today aged 88.

Sir Michael, who was fondly called ‘Parky’ by friends and fans, became one of the most famous names in Britain after his seminal interviews with Muhammed Ali,, John Lennon Billy Connolly, Orson Welles and most of the world’s biggest stars.

There were also wildly comical – and uncomfortable interviews – including being attacked while speaking to Rod Hull and Emu as well as a prickly and apparently paranoid Meg Ryan.

Parky, who presented his programme Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2007, was last seen in public in April. He appeared frail as he celebrated his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday bash.

A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: ‘After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.’ 

Sir Michael Parkinson, pictured with his friend and famous interviewee M

Celebrations: The broadcaster was seen chatting with guests at his table at the party, while he was also reunited with his friend Dickie (pictured), who was celebrating his 90th birthday in Paril

He also hosted two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.

All in all, Parkinson has racked up 2,000 interviews over the years with some of the best-known names from all walks of life, including royalty.

In his 2022 book My Life in Sport: Memories, Moments and Declarations, the presenter revealed his most formidable guest was the Duke of Edinburgh, who he suspects took a dislike to the broadcaster right from the start.

‘I did have to chat to him once, for a charity, and it was not a success – at all,’ he confessed. 

The TV star, who lives in Berkshire with his wife Mary, has previously spoken about his long-running chat show.

Of his heyday – which saw him sit down one-on-one, often for a whole hour, with the likes of Orson Welles, Madonna and David and Victoria Beckham – he said: ‘I had the best of it, in terms of the guests I could choose from.

‘The older ones and the newer ones, and also the kind of television that was being shown in those days. It was bliss.’

Of his favourites, Parkinson still counts iconic footballer George Best, with whom he developed a deep friendship before his premature death aged 59, following a liver transplant.

He also counts Sir Billy Connolly among his favourite interviews, and praised the comedian as ‘a natural funny man’.

His rare public appearance comes months after Sir Michael made a TV appearance on Good Morning Britain in November. 

He appeared on the show alongside his son Mike, 55, where he discussed the art of interviewing and reminisced on his time spent with footballer George Best.

Asked about the art of the interview by hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, Sir Michael said: ‘It takes some doing to actually be frank in an interview, to ask the questions properly and not be delicate around certain subjects. 

‘You’re aware of that as the interviewer. It’s a fascinating subject. There’s lots of other things that come into it. 

He added: ‘I enjoy watching interviews as well nowadays, particularly when they don’t get it right.’

Sir Michael was good friends with George and interviewed the footballer more than a dozen times during his career.

Mike recalled playing football with the Manchester United winger as a child and his schoolteachers not believing him.

He said: ‘George used to come down and he would try and avoid dad because dad would try and lecture him. 

Icon: The 86-year-old TV star fronted Parkinson between 1971 to 2007, and two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013, chatting to an array of major names from the world of entertainment, sport and politics [pictured in 1987]

Classic: In 1971, he spoke to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, in one of his earliest episodes

Pals: Sir Michael still counts Sir Billy Connolly as one of his favourite guests, and he praised the comedian as ‘a natural funny man’ [pictured together in 1987]

The talkshow host has interviewed over 2000 people from all walks of life throughout his career, pictured in 2006 with Jane Fonda

‘He’d run out in the garden and play football with me and the two brothers and the game was get the football off George best which was impossible. 

‘I went back to primary school and they asked me what I did for the weekend and I said, I played football with George Best.

‘I kept repeating this claim and was given detention. I then saw George next time and said to him, George you got me in trouble and he said what can I do? 

‘He signed a football and wrote, to Sister Cross, he did play football with George Best, love George. I gave it to her next day at school and I’m sure she blushed.

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