19 April 2023 , 21:18
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TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson made a rare public appearance to celebrate his friend Harold 'Dickie' Bird's 90th birthday.
The broadcaster, 88, looked smart as he laughed and joked with pals at Leeds' Headingley Stadium.
Michael and Dickie have been firm friends since they met on the cricket pitch in the 1950s.
Sir Michael played for Barnsley Cricket Club before he embarked on a successful television career which saw him front his own show Parkinson from 1971 to 2007.
Charismatic as ever, Michael appeared to be the life and soul of the party as he mingled with guests.
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He wore a snappy navy blue suit with a tartan pattern over a light blue shirt.
Sir Michael Parkinson with his friend Harold "Dickie" Bird who was celebrating his 90th birthday (Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com)Unlike most his age, Parky proudly showed off a full head of white hair which he'd had freshly trimmed for the occasion.
Dickie looked equally as smart in a grey pinstriped blazer with an electric blue shirt and matching tie.
The retired international cricket umpire grinned as he stood beside his pal at the bash.
After he presented his last Parkinson in 2007, he hosted two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.
Both of the men looked dapper in their suits as they celebrated Dickie's 90th birthday (Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com)
Last year Sir Michael released a book My Life in Sport: Memories, Moments and Declarations (Dave Benett/Getty Images)Last year Michael released a book My Life in Sport: Memories, Moments and Declarations.
In his book, he spoke about one of his most memorable guests - the Duke of Edinburgh.
"I did have to chat to him once, for a charity, and it was not a success - at all," he confessed, suspecting that the late Duke wasn't a fan.
Parky had the pleasure of interviewing some of the most famous people on the planet for his talk show.
In his heyday, he sat down with the likes of Madonna, David Beckham, Muhammad Ali and Billy Connolly.
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"I had the best of it, in terms of the guests I could choose from..." he said.
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"The older ones and the newer ones, and also the kind of television that was being shown in those days. It was bliss."
He appeared on Good Morning Britain last November alongside his son Mike, 55, where he talked about what it was like to interview footballer George Best.
He told Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley: "It takes some doing to actually be frank in an interview, to ask the questions properly and not be delicate around certain subjects.
"You're aware of that as the interviewer. It's a fascinating subject. There's lots of other things that come into it."