Very sad news today as legendary chat show host Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88, as confirmed by his family. They told the BBC in a statement:

“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.”

Parkinson really was one of the undisputed GOATs of British television. A truly brilliant interviewer who had such a genuine warmth and rapport with his guests and made the audience feel like they were a part of the interview.

He interviewed pretty much every iconic personality of the 20th century that you can think of; John Lennon, Muhammad Ali (four times), David Attenborough, Madonna, Bette Davis, David Beckham, Orson Wells, the list goes on. He even managed to interview old Hollywood legend John Wayne, who didn’t have anything to sell or promote. He was simply up for having a chat with Michael Parkinson.

The BBC show Parkinson first ran between 1971 and 1982 before another stint, which started in 1998, and moved over to ITV in 2004 before wrapping up in 2007. He was knighted a year later in 2008.

He did have his controversial moments too, of course. Foe example, a 1975 interview with Dame Helen Mirren where he introduced her as a ‘sex queen’ and asked if her ‘physical attributes’ stopped people from seeing her as a serious actress. But come on, it was a different time back then! At least he never diddled any children, which is more than can be said for some of his contemporaries.

Most of all, Michael Parkinson was great because he always seemed to understand that the interview wasn’t about him, and never let his ego get in the way of doing his job. RIP to a true legend of the game.

Just yesterday, Bill Bailey paid tribute on the two-year anniversary of the death of another UK legend – Sean Lock.