How Parky’s contempt for TV led to a decades-long career
Press AssociationCopyright: Press Association
Michael Parkinson’s move into television came when, as a newspaper journalist, he was invited to a screen test by Granada, which was commissioning a new current affairs programme.
Intending to go purely so he could write a cynical newspaper piece on the upstart new medium, he was quickly swept up in what he referred to as the "theatrical excitement" of the television studio.
Parkinson later reflected that he had never thought of television as a career:
"We had a contemptuous, bemused view of television at the Guardian in those days. We believed it would go away."
Parkinson's dad didn't want him going down the pit
BBCCopyright: BBC
In a remarkable career, Michael Parkinson interviewed some of the most famous people in the world, including many of the Hollywood stars he had idolised as a child.
He was born in the South Yorkshire village of Cudworth in 28 March 1935, the son of a miner who was determined his boy would not follow him down the pit.
As a child in the days before television he used to go regularly to his local cinema, giving rise to a lifelong passion for film.
It was his National Service that finally got him out of the village and opened his eyes to the wider world beyond what he referred to as the "parochial" nature of his upbringing.
WATCH: Memorable moments from Parkinson's star-studded show
Video content
Video caption: Watch some memorable moments from Parkinson's star-studded showWatch some memorable moments from Parkinson's star-studded show
Broadcaster and journalist Sir Michael Parkinson interviewed many of the world's most famous celebrities for his popular chat show, Parkinson.
Take a look at this video for some memorable moments from the series, which wasn't without controversy.
'The king of the chat show has died'
BBC Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, who he dubbed "the king of the chat show".
"He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year," Robinson tweeted.
Who was Michael Parkinson?
BBCCopyright: BBC
For millions, Michael Parkinson was a familiar face on British television for decades from the 70s to the 00s, but for the younger among you, let’s hear a little more about the broadcasting giant’s career.
He was most well-known for his long-running chat show Parkinson, where he interviewed some of the world’s most famous names, including Muhammad Ali, David and Victoria Beckham, Celine Dion, David Attenborough and Naomi Campbell.
In fact, he reckoned he interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities in his time.
He was always insistent that his guest, not himself, should be the star of the show - and had a unique, gentle but probing style.
After 25 years of hosting his talk show on the BBC and ITV, he announced his retirement in 2007.
His final show on ITV1 drew an audience of 8.3 million, and he brought the curtain down with a “wish list” of guests including Peter Kay, Billy Connolly and Dame Judi Dench.
TV chat show giant Michael Parkinson has died
BBCCopyright: BBC
Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died aged 88.
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 award-winning interviewer’s star-studded chat shows became essential viewing for millions in the 70s, 80s, and late 90s and 00s.
We’ll recap some of Parky’s classic moments, as well as tributes being paid to the broadcaster.
Live Reporting
Edited by Nathan Williams
All times stated are UK
How Parky’s contempt for TV led to a decades-long career
Michael Parkinson’s move into television came when, as a newspaper journalist, he was invited to a screen test by Granada, which was commissioning a new current affairs programme.
Intending to go purely so he could write a cynical newspaper piece on the upstart new medium, he was quickly swept up in what he referred to as the "theatrical excitement" of the television studio.
Parkinson later reflected that he had never thought of television as a career:
"We had a contemptuous, bemused view of television at the Guardian in those days. We believed it would go away."
Read more in his obituary here.
Parkinson's dad didn't want him going down the pit
In a remarkable career, Michael Parkinson interviewed some of the most famous people in the world, including many of the Hollywood stars he had idolised as a child.
He was born in the South Yorkshire village of Cudworth in 28 March 1935, the son of a miner who was determined his boy would not follow him down the pit.
As a child in the days before television he used to go regularly to his local cinema, giving rise to a lifelong passion for film.
It was his National Service that finally got him out of the village and opened his eyes to the wider world beyond what he referred to as the "parochial" nature of his upbringing.
Continue reading our obituary here.
WATCH: Memorable moments from Parkinson's star-studded show
Video content
Broadcaster and journalist Sir Michael Parkinson interviewed many of the world's most famous celebrities for his popular chat show, Parkinson.
Take a look at this video for some memorable moments from the series, which wasn't without controversy.
'The king of the chat show has died'
BBC Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, who he dubbed "the king of the chat show".
"He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year," Robinson tweeted.
Who was Michael Parkinson?
For millions, Michael Parkinson was a familiar face on British television for decades from the 70s to the 00s, but for the younger among you, let’s hear a little more about the broadcasting giant’s career.
He was most well-known for his long-running chat show Parkinson, where he interviewed some of the world’s most famous names, including Muhammad Ali, David and Victoria Beckham, Celine Dion, David Attenborough and Naomi Campbell.
In fact, he reckoned he interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities in his time.
He was always insistent that his guest, not himself, should be the star of the show - and had a unique, gentle but probing style.
After 25 years of hosting his talk show on the BBC and ITV, he announced his retirement in 2007.
His final show on ITV1 drew an audience of 8.3 million, and he brought the curtain down with a “wish list” of guests including Peter Kay, Billy Connolly and Dame Judi Dench.
TV chat show giant Michael Parkinson has died
Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died aged 88.
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 award-winning interviewer’s star-studded chat shows became essential viewing for millions in the 70s, 80s, and late 90s and 00s.
We’ll recap some of Parky’s classic moments, as well as tributes being paid to the broadcaster.