Michael Parkinson death: Presenter said ‘mutual loathing’ was behind infamous Helen Mirren interview
Broadcaster died ‘peacefully’ at home in the company of his family
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Tributes to Sir Michael Parkinson are pouring in after the legendary broadcaster died aged 88.
Parkinson’s family confirmed the news in a statement to the BBC on Thursday (17 August).
“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” said the family. They have requested “privacy and time to grieve”.
Born the son of a miner in Cudworth, South Yorkshire, Parkinson started his career in local journalism, taking on roles at The Guardian and The Daily Express before he pivoted to screen roles.
Over an illustrious career that spanned seven decades, Parkinson interviewed a number of high-profile guests including Muhammad Ali, Sir Billy Connolly, and Helen Mirren.
His flagship talk show, Parkinson, ran for 11 years on the BBC starting in 1971. It was later revived in 1998, ending in 2007.
Who was Michael Parkinson’s favourite interviewee?
Of the long list of A-listers he interviewed, Parkinson said that Muhammad Ali was his favourite.
Michael Parkinson apologised to Meg Ryan over infamous 2003 interview
Sir Michael Parkinson once welcomed Meg Ryan as a guest on his BBC chat show, in what many fans will remember as one of his most notorious interviews.
The frosty chat that ensued has become one of the most memorable interviews of all time, with Parkinson growing increasingly frustrated with the When Harry Met Sally star and vice versa.
Eighteen years later, in 2021, the TV host offered Ryan an apology over his behaviour during the interview.
See the clip here...
Frosty interaction became one of BBC’s most memorable interviews
Watch: Michael Parkinson's classic 'Golden Balls' interview with David and Victoria Beckham
Dickie Bird recounts final conversation with Michael Parkinson
Legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird recalled his final conversation with Parkinson, his friend of 74 years.
“I spoke to him yesterday, we had tears in our eyes and we said goodbye to each other, as if we had this feeling we wouldn’t see each other again,” he said in an emotional interview with Sky News.
Eric Morecambe recalls first heart attack on ‘Parkinson'
Among the many Parkinson clips circulating on social media is Morecambe and Wise’s 1972 appearance. In it, Eric Morecambe hilariously recounts the story of his first heart attack.
Michael Parkinson apologised to Meg Ryan over the infamous 2003 interview
Sir Michael Parkinson once welcomed Meg Ryan as a guest on his BBC chat show, in what many fans will remember as one of his most notorious interviews.
The frosty chat that ensued has become one of the most memorable interviews of all time, with Parkinson growing increasingly frustrated with the When Harry Met Sally star and vice versa.
Eighteen years later, in 2021, the TV host offered Ryan an apology over his behaviour during the interview.
Parkinson’s northern accent was ‘very refreshing’, says Sir David Attenborough
In a pre-recorded interview for BBC Radio 4’s The World At One, Sir David said he thought when he was controller of BBC Two that Sir Michael was the “best freelance interviewer in the business”.
The naturalist added: “He was always knowledgeable, he was absolutely classless.
“That’s not quite true, you knew he was not a southerner, you knew he was a northerner and that was a very refreshing voice in those days and you knew that he would do his homework and that he would ask questions that didn’t occur to you.
“(Michael was) extremely professional, you knew that he would know all the background and you didn’t have to fill in anything.
“He was extremely generous, he wanted you to shine and would always laugh at your jokes and give you an opportunity to make them sound funnier than in fact they were.”
The 97-year-old also said that being interviewed by him “was like meeting a friend” and “you knew he was on your side”
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