Michael Parkinson death: Follow the latest tributes and reaction after 'King of the chat show' dies aged 88
- Follow MailOnline's live blog for updates after Michael Parkinson died aged 88
Here follow MailOnline's live blog after iconic interviewer Michael Parkinson died aged 88.
Today's liveblog detailing the death of Michael Parkinson and tributes made to him is now closed.
Former footballer David Beckham said losing Sir Michael was saying 'goodbye to the best', as he recalled his wife, Victoria calling him 'Golden Balls' during a Parkinson interview.
Sir David Attenborough has said that Sir Michael Parkinson's northern accent was 'a very refreshing voice in those days'.
TV fans today shared their favourite Sir Michael Parkinson moments, following the beloved broadcaster's death aged 88.
They included the time Sir Michael was attacked by an 'emu' alongside the moment he told Carry On film star Kenneth Williams he was talking 'crap'.
Fans also shared Sir Michael's legendary interview with world champion boxer Muhammad Ali broadcast on the presenter's prime time talk show 'Parkinson'.
In one iconic interview, pop legend George Michael made a very risque joke following his arrest for carrying out a lewd sexual act on plain clothed police officers in a public toilet in Beverly Hills.
Sir Elton John appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Disks with Sir Michael Parkinson in 1986.
After the host's death was announced on Thursday at the age of 88, Sir Elton shared a throwback image from his time on the radio show.
Paying tribute, he wrote: 'Michael Parkinson was a TV legend who was one of the greats. I loved his company and his incredible knowledge of cricket and Barnsley Football Club.
'A real icon who brought out the very best in his guests. Condolences and love to Mary and his family.'
Sir Michael Parkinson's former TV-am colleague Angela Rippon has spoken of waking up while in New York to the 'sad news' of the chat host's death.
The 78-year-old journalist wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'He was a pal, a colleague, and the most outstanding interviewer of his generation.
'He listened to what his guests said. Had a conversation with them rather than mechanically going through a list of questions or haranguing them.
'As a result he has left a treasure trove of conversations with some of the greatest names of the 20th century.'
Theresa May remembered Sir Michael as a 'remarkable man' and revealed they 'knew each other well'.
The former Prime Minister added that he was an 'outstanding broadcaster' in her tribute, which was posted on Twitter.
In 2018 Ms May and Sir Michael opened the Alexander Devine Children's Hospital together in Maidenhead, where she has been an MP since 1997.
Here, MailOnline takes a look at Sir Michael's career, exploring the height of his fame in the 1970s and 80s when millions tuned in every week. From local papers to Fleet Street to joining the BBC, he soon became an iconic face on television.
Sir Michael Parkinson was in good spirits and full of energy on one of his last public appearances.
The late broadcasting legend put on a dapper display as the rare public outing at cricket umpire Dickie Bird's 90th birthday party in April.
Parky was seen laughing with guests at the bash at Leeds' Headingley Stadium.
The former talk show host was seen socialising with guests at his table, while he was also reunited with his friend Dickie, who was celebrating his 90th birthday.
The 90-year-old actor wrote on Twitter, now known as X: 'He was charming, always wanted to have a good laugh. He brought the best of everyone he met.
Sir Elton John has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late broadcaster, telling how he 'loved' his company.
In a post on Instagram, the 76-year-old Rocketman singer wrote: 'Michael Parkinson was a TV legend who was one of the greats. I loved his company and his incredible knowledge of cricket and Barnsley Football Club.
'A real icon who brought out the very best in his guests.'
Musician Jamie Cullum has remembered Sir Michael Parkinson saying he was 'lucky enough to be a beneficiary of his curiosity'.
'I played at a charity event for him very recently, where, surrounded by friends from the world of sport and the arts, he was celebrated for his warmth, dedication, attentiveness to life, loyalty and his wicked sense of humour. I got the chance to give him a big hug and say thank you to him.'
Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid has paid tribute to Michael Parkinson calling him 'the King of Interviewers'.
She wrote on Twitter, accompanied with a photograph of the beloved presenter: 'He was the King of Interviewers.
'He also enjoyed being interviewed. Lucky to have had that pleasure. He was authentic, funny and charming.
'Thank you for being the best. RIP Sir Michael Parkinson.'
Fellow broadcasters Gary Lineker and Dan Walker have described Sir Michael Parkinson as 'truly brilliant' and 'a TV titan' as they paid tribute.
Former footballer Lineker tweeted: 'Saddened to hear that Michael Parkinson has died. A truly brilliant broadcaster and wonderful interviewer.
'He was very much part of Saturday nights growing up: Parkinson then Match Of The Day. RIP Parky.'
TV presenter Walker posted: 'Michael Parkinson was a TV titan. It was always a pleasure to talk to him, on & off camera, about cricket, football, politics & TV.
'He was full of advice, picked up over his remarkable career, & always brought the best out in others.
'A proper gent who will be missed be many.'
Mary Parkinson stayed by Michael's side every step of the way for 64 years.
Mrs Parkinson first met Sir Michael Parkinson on the top deck of a bus in the Yorkshire city.
It was said he was so timid when he first met his future-wife, his friend has to ask Mary out on his behalf, according to The Sun.
Discussing his wife, Mr Parkinson said: 'I remember thinking, 'I could look at that face for a long, long time' – and I have.'
However, the marriage was not always easy as it the pair did go through a difficult patch when Mr Parkinson struggled in his career-beginnings on Fleet Street.
Michael Parkinson overcame a series of 'difficult' health battles before he passed away following a brief illness at the age of 88.
Throughout his life, Michael overcame a battle with prostate cancer, and had to learn how to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery.
After two years of treatment, Michael was given the all-clear from prostate cancer in 2015.
He became a patron of Yorkshire Cancer Research that year.
In 2017 he learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured disks.
Cricket Legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson and praised the 'best chat show host' who was the 'soul of Yorkshire'.
He told GB News: 'I met him at Barnsley Cricket Club when I was 15 years of age and he was a pretty good player.
'He then went onto TV and he was the best chat show host because he listened to people. He not only asked questions but he listened to them and he actually liked them.
'Michael was Yorkshire in every way and he was the soul of Yorkshire.'
The BBC will re-air a celebration programme about Sir Michael Parkinson.
It tweeted: 'In a change to scheduled programming, Parkinson At 50 will air on @BBCOne tonight from 9pm.
'You can also watch the documentary on @BBCiPlayer now, along with some of Sir Michael Parkinson's classic interviews.'
Predictions of failure littered the life of Michael Parkinson.
When he was a pupil at Barnsley Grammar School at the start of the 1950s, he was thrashed by his headmaster for a minor misdemeanour. ‘Unless you buck up, Parkinson, you will never add up to much,’ said that cane-wielding head.
After an early screen test as a newsreader, Parkinson was told by a senior executive at ITN, ‘If you take my advice, you’ll forget about television.’
Even at the height of his fame, reports that he had been offered the job as host of the BBC radio series Desert Island Discs prompted the widow of the show’s creator Roy Plomley to declare, ‘I don’t think he’s civilised enough.’
But Parkinson proved all his critics wrong. In a stellar career lasted decades, he became an icon of British broadcasting.
Sir Michael appeared all smiles as he celebrated what proved to be his final birthday in Mayfair earlier this year.
The veteran talk show host was pictured at celebrity haunt Scott's in west London as he marked his 88th birthday on March 31.
Parkinson was dressed in a plaid grey sports jacket, with black drawstring trousers, a grey sweater over a light blue shirt and black moccasin shoes as he marked the big day.
'Parkie' enjoyed a three-course slap-up meal at the restaurant.
Afterwards, he was pictured smiling at the press photographers outside while leaving the venue with a friend.
Dickie Bird has paid tribute to his 'dear friend' Sir Michael Parkinson following the television chat show host's death after a brief illness, aged 88.
The pair opened the batting for Barnsley Cricket Club together and remained friends, with Parkinson ringing Bird earlier this week.
Former Yorkshire batter and international umpire Bird told the PA news agency: 'I shall miss him, I'll tell you that. Not only was he a friend but he was a dear friend and I just don't know how I will cope, I will miss him so much.
'There will never be a chat show host like Michael Parkinson. He was the best. There will never be anyone better than him in your lifetime, my lifetime or anyone else’s lifetime.'
Yorkshire Cricket Club have paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson following the television chat show host's death after a brief illness, aged 88.
Before his famous broadcasting career got off the ground, Parkinson and Barnsley Cricket Club opening partner Dickie Bird had trials at Yorkshire alongside future England batter Geoffrey Boycott.
Parkinson once kept Boycott out of his hometown Barnsley team but the pair, plus Bird, a former international umpire and one of the most recognisable figures in cricket, established lifelong friendships.
Former England fast bowler Darren Gough paid tribute to the broadcaster who he regarded as a close friend.
Gough, Yorkshire managing director of cricket, said: 'He was a Barnsley boy, like myself, and it was an absolute pleasure to know him and his family.
'We are all devastated here at Yorkshire and thoughts of everyone at the club are with Sir Michael's family and friends at this sad time.'
Affectionately known simply as Parky, Sir Michael Parkinson was one of the world's greatest interviewers.
His easy manner, combined with his experience as a journalist, meant he produced some of history's most memorable sit-down chats.
Among his high-profile guests were Sir Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Dame Helen Mirren and Madonna.
And he also become well-known for his no-nonsense responses to other stars like Meg Ryan, who seemed like she did not want to be there.
Speaking about his famous chat show, Parky once reminisced: 'I've had a ball. What a job to have. And they paid me too!'
Stephen Fry has led showbiz greats in paying tribute to Michael Parkinson.
He said that being interviewed by Parkinson was 'impossibly thrilling'.
On Instagram, Fry wrote: 'The genius of Parky was that (unlike most people (and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100% himself. On camera and off. 'Authentic' is the word I suppose.
'For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comic speed and brilliance. Now they're both gone.'
Meanwhile Comedian Dara O Briain recalled Sir Michael Parkinson doing 'the coolest thing I ever saw pre-show' after the interviewer's death.
He tweeted: 'I had the privilege of doing the Michael Parkinson show 3 times and it the most I ever felt like I was in 'proper showbiz'.
Sir Michael Parkinson has died aged 88 after an illness, his bereft family revealed today.
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 Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Billy Connolly, Orson Welles and most of the world's biggest stars in an extraordinary TV career spanning five decades.
There were also wildly comical - and uncomfortable interviews - including being attacked while speaking to Rod Hull and Emu as well as a prickly Meg Ryan in 20 years of more than 2,000 BBC interviews beamed into up to 17million homes on a Saturday night.
Parky, who presented his programme Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2007, was last seen in public in April as he attended Dickie Bird's 90th birthday.
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.'
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