Michael Parkinson fans overcome with emotion at frail star's tribute documentary
Michael Parkinson's heartbroken fans were left emotional after seeing the frail TV star in a documentary filmed before his death.
The chat show king died peacefully at home at the age of 88 in the company of his family on Wednesday night following a brief illness. Stars and fans have been paying tribute to the respected broadcaster following his death aged 88. His family confirmed the sad news in a statement today, reading: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family."
The BBC's 2021 documentary Parkinson at 50 re-wound his life and many of those who loved watching him turned in to remember his career and best interviews. On the day his death was announced, the schedule was cleared for the tribute which saw him candidly discuss his life and time on screen, including a tough interview with boxing superstar Muhammad Ali.
BBC One tonight re-aired their documentary, Parkinson at 50 (BBC)"Watching the litany of absolutely fantastic, amusing, insightful and endlessly entertaining Parkinson interview clips. What an absolute loss he is. RIP to the greatest interviewer," one fan wrote on twitter. A second said: "Loving the Parkinson at 50 show on BBC1. Funny, sad, nostalgic, emotional."
Another put: "Lovely watching this retrospective of Michael Parkinson’s career and a wonderful reminder that for generations he was “Mr Saturday Night" while someone else echoed that, writing: "Watching #Parkinsonat50 and thinking how good it would be if we could go back to the days of real unbridled humour and not the stage managed woke days of now. #Parky there will sadly never be another like him."
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Among those paying tribute to the TV legend today was the BBC's director-general Tim Davie, who hailed Parkinson as "the king of the chat show” and an “incredible broadcaster and journalist”. He said: said: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed. He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that enthralled the public."
The programme was recorded and broadcast in the summer of 2021 (BBC)ITV's political editor Nick Robinson also paid tribute to his former BBC colleague, writing: "He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year. Michael Parkinson - king of the chat show - has died." While Lord Sugar tweeted: "Very sad news on the passing of Michael Parkinson . End of a era RIP."
In a poignant tribute, legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird, 90, says Sir Michael called him just before his death to say goodbye and to thank him for his friendship Appearing on 5 News this evening, he said: "I was stunned and shattered by the news this morning, but it wasn't really too big a shock. I spoke to Michael yesterday morning, he rang me and we had a chat together on the phone. I could tell he wasn't well. We both knew.
"We spoke about old times, our friendship together over the years. We shed a few tears and we said our goodbyes. It was very, very sad. Very sad. He was my best friend, a true friend," he told Channel 5. "He made sure he came to my 90th birthday party (in April). He said he would do it on his last legs and he did. I knew then he wasn't well. We've lost a great man, he will go down in history as the best we've seen."
Michael had been close friends with the former batsman for years, having first met him on the cricket pitch in the 1950s. A grieving Dickie said he doesn't know "how I will cope" without the broadcaster in his life. Michael spoke fondly of his relationship with Dickie on the BBC Breakfast last year, hailing the umpire's "sense of humour" to host Naga Muchetty. "The stories of Dickie Bird, you could write 10 books about him...There's nothing nasty about him. He's a funny, funny man," he continued, before adding that he's always been very sociable and "needs company."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
