Judi Dench 'was never frightened' in interviews with 'one off' Michael Parkinson

17 August 2023 , 20:36

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Judi Dench 'was never frightened' in interviews with 'one off' Michael Parkinson

Actress Dame Judi Dench has said that Sir Michael Parkinson was “a really one-off person" as the TV chat show host died aged 88.

The award winning actress appeared on Parkinson, the chat show hosted by Sir Michael Parkinson from 1971 until 1982 and then again from 1998 until 2007. The chat show spanned across five decades with Judi Dench appearing multiple times, especially in later years and for the late star's final broadcast.

The James Bond actress has now joined many other stars in paying tribute to the enigmatic chat show host as news of the TV star's death broke today (August 16) with tributes and praise for the broadcaster pouring in from those he interviewed and worked with, and fans around the world.

Dame Judi Dench has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson as she calls him "a really one-off person" (Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Dame Judi was questioned about an interview where Sir Michael had asked her about the bad reviews she had received as Ophelia in Hamlet in 1957. Dame Judi said: "He did it (the interview) in such a way that you felt you were having a conversation with a friend and why wouldn’t you be completely natural and open and say what you feel, and every time you watched his programme you learned so much about the people he was interviewing, but what a lot you learned about was him.”

The Oscar-winning actress added: "I don’t remember being frightened of being interviewed by Michael, because it was just like talking to a really good friend."

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Sir Michael Parkinson's passing was confirmed by his family in a statement on August 16, as they said: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve."

He was one of the country’s most legendary TV interviewers, known for doing painstaking research and asking his famous guests all the right questions. Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and received the “all-clear” from doctors in summer 2015 following two years of treatment.

Parkinson made his last TV appearance on BBC's Breakfast in November 2022 where viewers shared their concern for the much-loved broadcaster, as many said they felt he looked 'frail'. He was last spotted publicly in May this year, just three months before his death, to celebrate the release of his autobiography. Appearing at the Hay Festival, Sir Michael was all smiles as he met fans over the course of the weekend. Prior to this, in April this year, he appeared at pal Dickie Bird's 90th birthday party at Leeds' Headingley Stadium.

Niamh Spence