28 August 2023 , 08:24
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Michael Parkinson's son has reflected on the "strange experience" of losing his famous father, who is a public figure, after he sadly died aged 88 after a short illness earlier this month.
Mike Parkinson appeared on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain to talk about his famous father and his incredible career. Mike, 56, said: "It's a very strange experience to lose a man who is a public figure, you spend the first few days of his passing reading this extraordinary outpouring of love and affection.
"You almost feel as a family that you don't need or want to step on people's toes because you want to allow them to grieve because they're grieving a very different man. They're grieving a public figure, a man that they loved because of who he represented to them, either in print or radio or television, but for us, obviously, it's a different experience. For me, it's a very strange experience, because for the last 20 years, he's been my business partner, co-presenter and co-creator of various things that we've done together."
Michael Parkinson's son, Mike Parkinson, appeared on Monday's episode of Good Morning Britain to talk about his famous father (ITV)Mike added: "I mean, it's a strange experience to go through and it's a very interesting experience to see what other people thought of my father. I know you use words like 'national treasure' and 'legend' and 'icon'.
"He would have been laughing when people say that about him because in no way shape or form did he ever think that anything he ever did would live beyond what he did at the time. He never did. He viewed himself very much as a jobbing broadcast or jobbing journalist, he just kept going forward."
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Earlier this month, Michael's family released a heartbreaking statement, which 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."
Mike with his dad on ‘in conversation’ tour in 2016 (Alamy Stock Photo)It comes as Jimmy Tarbuck broke down in tears on Good Morning Britain earlier this month as he paid a moving tribute to his friend "Parky". Jimmy, 83, paid tribute to his friend and recalled their final meeting. The comedian said: "Last week, at the house, I was with young Michael, his son, and I said: "I'll go now, you're getting a bit tired" he said: 'Yeah, okay, thanks for coming. Do you want lunch next week?' And I said: 'You arrange it and I'll be there.' And unfortunately, I won't."
Jimmy added: "He was a giant of our industry, he was a great journalist, a giant, a great friend, a giant of a friend, and the talk shows - none of them have come near him since. He was just delightful, delightful company and a very modest man." The comedian continued: "Tina Turner sang it, Simply The Best!" Jimmy then got emotional as he said: "A giant of our industry but by God, I'm getting choked now, he was a giant friend and he was a giant friend to me", emotionally adding: "I just miss him!"