Broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died on the age of 88.

His agent stated he died peacefully at house within the firm of his household on Wednesday night time, following a quick sickness.

Sir Michael, a former journalist, was certainly one of British tv’s most well-known faces via his speak present Parkinson, which initially ran on the BBC from 1971 to 1982. He relaunched the present in 1998 earlier than it moved to ITV in 2004, remaining on air till he retired the programme in 2007.

Over greater than 800 episodes, the TV host affectionately referred to as Parky interviewed a number of the world’s most high-profile figures – together with Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Tom Cruise, Helen Mirren and George Michael – and helped make comic Sir Billy Connolly a family identify.

Reaction as ‘greatest interviewer of our time’ dies – updates

Despite his lengthy and illustrious profession, it was his 2003 interview with Meg Ryan that went down in historical past as certainly one of his most memorable reveals.

The chat present king was confronted with a stony-faced Ryan, who delivered one-word solutions as she promoted her poorly acquired erotic thriller The Cut.

More than 20 years later, he offered an apology to the actress and admitted neither of them have been on “top form”.

He was additionally famously attacked by Emu when the puppet appeared on the chat present couch subsequent to Rod Hull, and wrestled him to the bottom. The star would typically joke that he would at all times be remembered for “that bloody bird”.

Michael Parkinson obituary: The host A-listers wanted to share their secrets with

BBC to pals and interviewees – celebrities pay tribute

As tributes have been shared following the announcement of his demise, many remembered him as “the king of the chat show”.

Director-general of the BBC, Tim Davie, stated in a press release: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed.

“He interviewed the most important stars of the twentieth century and did so in a method that enthralled the general public. Michael was not solely good at asking questions, he was additionally an exquisite listener.

“Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed.”

Writing on X, previously referred to as Twitter, BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson stated: “He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year.”

Meanwhile, former BBC News anchor Simon McCoy posted: “Simply the Best. Anyone who was anyone was interviewed by him. What an amazing career he had. Thoughts with his family.”

Comedian Stephen Fry described being interviewed by Sir Michael as “impossibly thrilling” as he shared his recollections.

“The genius of Parky was that (unlike most people… and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100% himself,” he wrote on Instagram. “On camera and off. ‘Authentic’ is the word I suppose.

“For one of many reveals I used to be on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comedian pace and brilliance. Now they’re each gone. One ought to get used to the parade of individuals continually falling off the sting, however frankly one does not. So lengthy #parky.”

‘The coolest thing I ever saw pre-show’

BAFTA and Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser also shared tributes, with Ms Fraser describing the star as a “broadcasting large who set a gold commonplace for the tv interview”.

Comedian Eddie Izzard remembered Sir Michael because the “king of the intelligent interview”, whereas British singer and actress Elaine Paige described him as “legendary”.

Sharing an image of the pair on X, she wrote: “Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died. Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show & attended many events with him.

“A legendary interviewer that shall be remembered as the very best of his career. We won’t ever see his like once more.”

Comedian Dara O Briain shared a narrative of Sir Michael doing “the coolest thing I ever saw pre-show” throughout certainly one of his three appearances on the “proper showbiz” programme.

“I was standing with the guests, waiting for the show to start,” O Briain wrote. “Michael arrived, chatted away to us, not a nerve in sight, when the band started playing the theme tune. Michael paused, smiled and said ‘They’re playing my tune’ and walked straight out and started the show. Lovely.”

Comedian and actor Matt Lucas additionally shared a tribute, remembering Sir Michael as “a titan” of tv.

Broadcaster and creator Gyles Brandreth described the broadcaster as “one of my heroes”, saying it was a privilege to have identified and labored with him.

“They were chat shows, of course – but they were mjuch (sic) more than that: they were truly engaging conversations that brought out the best in his guests,” he stated.

“And what an array of guests. ‘Parky’ was one of my heroes – and a lovely guy. A privilege to have known and worked with him.”

Minute’s silence at cricket match

The world of sport additionally mourned Sir Michael’s demise, with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Barnsley FC each sharing tributes.

Sir Michael was a lifelong fan of cricket, along with his childhood desires of taking part in for Yorkshire dashed when he left college aged 16 and as a substitute started working at a neighborhood paper.

The cricket membership introduced a minute’s silence earlier than play on Thursday, whereas Barnsley FC stated the membership had “lost one of its favourite sons”.

Monty Python star Eric Idle, who was interviewed by the TV host in 1982, wrote on X: “Farewell Parky. A great Yorkshireman and cricket fan and a lovely interviewer to be with.”

Life earlier than TV – and the way he rose to fame

Sir Michael was an solely youngster who grew up in a council home within the coal mining village of Cudworth, close to Barnsley, South Yorkshire. His father was a miner, and would take his son down the pit when he was an adolescent to place him off working there.

After leaving college, he went on to work at a neighborhood paper, later becoming a member of the Manchester Guardian after which the Daily Express.

He received his break in TV as a producer at Granada, transferring to Thames TV earlier than touchdown his chat present Parkinson on the BBC.

He additionally had a short-lived time period at TV-am as a part of the unique presenting line-up alongside the likes of Angela Rippon and David Frost, and appeared on the reveals Give Us A Clue, one-off drama Ghostwatch and Going For A Song.

On the radio, he hosted Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 in addition to his personal sports activities reveals on Five Live.

The star acquired an honorary doctorate in 2008, alongside cricket umpire and his good pal Dickie Bird, on the Barnsley campus of Huddersfield University.

He was additionally knighted by the late Queen at Buckingham Palace that very same yr, and stated of the accolade: “I never expected to be knighted – I thought there was more chance of me turning into a Martian really.”

In 2013, Sir Michael revealed he was being treated for prostate cancer – however stated he had no intention of stopping working.

He had three sons with spouse Mary, who he married in 1959.