Newspaper headlines: 'Goodbye to the best' and 'our greatest'

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By BBC News
Staff

Of the many guests he interviewed, Parkinson said Muhammad Ali was his favourite

Sir Michael Parkinson is on many of the front pages following his death on Thursday at the age of 88. The Daily Mirror's headline is: "Our greatest". The Sun chooses the same description and has an eight-page tribute pull-out.

Sir Michael's TV career spanned seven decades, and he interviewed the world's biggest stars on his long-running chat show - including boxer Muhammad Ali, Sir David Attenborough and Sir Paul McCartney.

In the Daily Express, the paper quotes his cricket umpire friend Dickie Bird saying: "There will never be another Parky." The Guardian remembers the broadcaster and talk show host as "the king of chat". And the Times describes Sir Michael as "a true great of British television". For the Daily Telegraph, the veteran broadcaster was "the greatest interviewer of his age".

In its editorial, the Yorkshire Post says Sir Michael's death "will not only leave a void in the lives of his nearest and dearest but in the region collectively". It goes on to say his success "gave Yorkshire folk the confidence that you could succeed in TV land without having to abandon your accent," adding that the county is grieving.

The Daily Telegraph says France is intercepting fewer migrants attempting to cross the Channel than it was before a £480m deal, struck with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, provided more funds to tackle the issue. The paper says it has obtained the figures from French authorities, and quotes Conservative MPs who call them dismal and disappointing.

The Daily Mail and the Times feature an interview with the son of the man who lost his job at the British Museum, after artefacts went missing. In the Daily Mail, the son maintains his father is innocent and says his name "has been completely dragged through the mud". He adds: "I've never known anyone so passionate about what he did. He's a world expert in his field."

According to the Financial Times, a Labour pledge to strengthen workers' rights has been watered down to a commitment for a consultation, should the party be in government after the next general election. The paper says Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is trying to "woo corporate leaders and discredit Tory claims that Labour is anti-business". A party official says it it listening to business and unions to ensure it has credible plans for the economy.

The Times reports that Covid jabs may soon be available for purchase from high street chemists after a change of stance from the UK Health Security Agency. The paper says this is unlikely to happen in time for an autumn booster campaign, but may happen next year. Ready-filled syringes would probably be used. Scientists have said they are likely to be much more expensive than flu jabs - which typically cost £15-20.

An unfortunate incident in Cornwall is reported by the Daily Telegraph, as Penryn Town Council has apologised after it left an alarm blaring at the town hall for hours because it did not have a ladder long enough to get up and turn it off. An engineer had to drive from Swansea to disable the system.