British talk show host legend Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88.
The celebrated British broadcaster and journalist died eight years after receiving the all-clear following treatment for prostate cancer.
“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” the BBC quoted a family statement as saying.
“The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”
Who was Michael Parkinson?
Born on 28 March, 1935, Michael was one of the most prominent talk show hosts of his time.
He was best know for presenting his talk show ”Parkinson” from 1971 to 1983. The small screen veteran’s show was revived in 1998 and ran until his retirement in 2007.
Following the very first episode of his eponymous show, Parkinson at the time had no idea whether it had gone well.
“I was just happy to get through the first show without falling down the stairs or forgetting the name of the guest sitting opposite
“I had no idea how it had gone. I knew there was something in it that I wanted to pursue but I had no idea how it would turn out.” he admitted in 2021.
Seen as a temporary 10-week filler programme, it recorded over 650 episodes featuring interviews with over 2,000 guests and was voted by the BFI as one of the top 10 UK television programmes of all time.
He interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars, including Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Madonna and Helen Mirren, on his long-running chat show.
According to the BBC, the popular host once estimated that he had interviewed more than 2,000 guests.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
