Following the announcement of Sir Michael Parkinson‘s death aged 88, ED! remembers his most iconic – and most controversial – interviews from his long-running show, Parkinson.
Parky’s TV career saw him interview many of the time’s highest-profile figures and personalities across several decades.
His BBC talk show aired for more than a decade on the BBC from 1971, pulling in millions of viewers. A later run from 1998 until 2007 also saw the series broadcast on ITV.
Parky announced his retirement from his chat show ahead of the final series airing. And even though 16 years have passed since, his TV chats will be remembered for many more years to come.
Michael Parkinson and Muhammad Ali
Parky once estimated he’d probably interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities. But Muhammad Ali, one of the most remarkable athletes in history, was one in a billion.
Parky interviewed the legendary boxer four times, quipping he lost on every occasion.
He later reflected: “When people ask me who I most enjoyed interviewing, I’m unable to give them an answer. When they ask me who the most remarkable man is I’ve ever met, I answer without hesitation: Muhammad Ali.”
Michael Parkinson and Billy Connolly
Another star forever associated with Parky, comic Billy Connolly enjoyed his first taste of national exposure with Michael.
He would go on to guest 15 times, a record for the various iterations of Parkinson.
Included above is Billy’s final telly chat with Parky.
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