Michael Parkinson, the celebrated broadcaster renowned for his role as the host of the talk show Michael Parkinson from 1971 to 2007, has passed away at the age of 88.
In a statement, his family shared, “After a brief illness, Sir Michael Parkinson peacefully passed away at home last night in the presence of his family. The family kindly requests privacy and time to mourn.”
Tributes flooded social media platforms, with comedian Eddie Izzard, who appeared on Parkinson’s show twice, expressing his sorrow, “Very saddened by the news of Michael Parkinson’s passing. He was the master of the intelligent interview.”
BBC broadcaster and Radio 4’s Today host Nick Robinson hailed him as the “chat show king,” adding, “He was the preeminent interviewer of our generation, dominating Saturday night television for numerous years.”
Radio 2 presenter Elaine Paige shared on Twitter: “Heartbreaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has left us. I’ve known him for many years, sang on his TV talk show, and attended various events with him. A legendary interviewer who will be remembered as the pinnacle of his profession. We won’t see his equal again. Rest in peace, Michael.”
Print Journalism Career
Commencing his career in print journalism, Parkinson started with local newspapers near his Barnsley hometown before becoming a feature writer at the Manchester Guardian and later the Daily Express in London.
After serving in the army, including a stint in Egypt during the Suez crisis as a press liaison officer, Parkinson transitioned to television. He joined Granada Television in the 1960s as a current affairs reporter and took on the role of hosting the station’s late-night film review program, Cinema, from 1969.
Then in 1971, his eponymous BBC talk show made its debut in a late-night Saturday slot, running until 1982 and experiencing a revival from 1998 to 2007. Throughout these years, Parkinson skillfully transformed interviews with his relaxed questioning style, effectively putting guests at ease without continual interruptions. This approach resulted in numerous memorable moments, including a confrontational exchange with boxer Muhammad Ali in 1974, as well as a flirtatious discussion with actor Shirley Maclaine. Moreover, his show featured a comedic interaction with entertainer Rod Hull and his puppet Emu in 1976, adding to the show’s diverse and engaging content.
