The family of Sir Michael Parkinson has confirmed that the renowned broadcaster has passed away at the age of 88.
With a television career that extended over seven decades, the proud Yorkshireman hosted a long-standing talk show where he conducted interviews with some of the most prominent global celebrities.
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.”
Renowned as one of the nation’s most iconic television interviewers, he gained a reputation for meticulous research and skillfully posing the right questions to his well-known guests. In 2013, Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer, undergoing a two-year treatment that culminated in a clean bill of health from doctors in the summer of 2015.
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A true television luminary, he reigned as the chat show maestro, fashioning a remarkable TV journey that spanned five decades. His most notable role was as the host of the talk show “Parkinson,” which aired from 1971 to 1983. This small screen veteran’s illustrious program was resurrected in 1998 and continued its run until his retirement in 2007.
Throughout his illustrious career, Michael conducted interviews with icons like Muhammad Ali and Sir Elton John, earning him a knighthood in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List. He is survived by his wife Mary, whom he married in 1959, and their three sons.
He grew up in the village of Cudworth, situated close to Barnsley. This location was a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire until 1974, when it became a part of the new metropolitan county of South Yorkshire.
Many a night I spend watching old Parkinson interviews on YouTube. One of my favourite episodes of Parkinson is his last with Peter kay which is an endearing episode I’ve attached below:
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Feature Image Credit: BBC
