Sir Michael Parkinson dies aged 88 following 'brief illness'
17 August 2023, 10:29 | Updated: 17 August 2023, 10:48
TV broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has passed away peacefully, his family have announced.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88.
The legendary TV broadcaster was best known for Parkinson where he would interview the biggest names of the time.
His high-profile guests included Madonna, Dame Helen Mirren, Muhammed Ali and Elton John.
Michael's family announced his death on Thursday, 17th August, in a statement which revealed he was surrounded by family when he passed.
It read: "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."
Michael Parkinson was born on 28th March 1935 and started pursuing his career in journalism after leaving school.
He worked at the Manchester Guardian, Daily Express before moving into TV broadcasting.
Michael started his career in TV working for a BBC current affairs programme before hosting Cinema, a film reviewing TV show.
He later became a household name for hosting Parkinson, which saw him interview a range of famous faces, his most well known including Muhammed Ali and George Michael.
He later moved into writing, publishing his autobiography Parky: My Autobiography in 2008.
In 1959, Michael married his wife Mary Agnes Heneghan. They have three children together.
In 2013, Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer but was given the all clear two years later.
