London (AP) – Michael Parkinson, a renowned broadcaster widely considered Britain’s talk show king, has passed away at the age of 88. The news of his death was announced by his family in a statement to the BBC on Thursday. According to the statement, Parkinson died peacefully at his home after a brief illness.
Parkinson’s career spanned several decades and featured interviews with some of the biggest celebrities of his time, including Muhammed Ali, David Bowie, and John Lennon. His talk show, known as “Parkinson,” first aired on the BBC in June 1971 and enjoyed a successful run until 1982. It was later revived on the BBC in 1998, proving to be an instant hit. In 2004, the show moved to commercial rival ITV, where it continued to captivate audiences until 2007.
Commonly known as “Parky,” Michael Parkinson was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2008. Reflecting on his knighthood, he humorously remarked, “I never expected to be knighted – I thought there was more chance of me turning into a Martian really.”
Parkinson’s list of interviewees also included iconic figures such as Fred Astaire, Jimmy Cagney, and Orson Welles.
In 2013, he publicly shared his battle with prostate cancer, revealing that he had been diagnosed after a routine health check.
Throughout his life, Parkinson had a deep love for his family. He married his wife Mary in 1959, and together they raised three sons.
Rest in peace, Michael Parkinson – a true legend of the talk show world.