Michael Parkinson dies at 88: Tributes pour in for Yorkshire-born TV presenter and journalist from the likes of Stephen Fry, Eamonn Holmes, Lord Alan Sugar and Christine Talbot

The Parkinson presenter, journalist and broadcaster grew up in the village of Cudworth, near Barnsley. He is known as the king of British chat shows.

His family released a statement announcing his passing.

“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” his family said.

“The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”

During his career he has interviewed some of the biggest stars including Dame Helen Mirren whom he famously introduced as the “sex queen” of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1975 during a chat show.

He rose to fame when he presented his own BBC chat show Parkinson which first aired in June 1971 and successfully ran until 1982, then was brought back on the BBC in 1998.

The BBC has announced that it will re-air a celebration programme about Sir Michael Parkinson.

It tweeted: “In a change to scheduled programming, Parkinson At 50 will air on @BBCOne tonight from 9pm.

“You can also watch the documentary on @BBCiPlayer now, along with some of Sir Michael Parkinson’s classic interviews.”

Tributes poured in on social media for Michael Parkinson who has died at 88

Elaine Page

British singer and actor paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson describing him as a “legendary interviewer”.

She shared a picture of the pair on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died.

“Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show and attended many events with him.

“A legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession. We will never see his like again.”

Lord Alan Sugar

Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: “Very sad news on the passing of Michael Parkinson. End of a (sic) era RIP.”

Stephen Fry

Comedian Stephen Fry has said being interviewed by Sir Michael Parkinson was “impossibly thrilling”.

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

“For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comic speed and brilliance. Now they’re both gone.

“One should get used to the parade of people constantly falling off the edge, but frankly one doesn’t. So long #parky.”

BBC director-general Tim Davie

The director-general of the BBC has paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson as “the king of the chat show” and an “incredible broadcaster and journalist”.

In a statement, Tim Davie said: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed.

“He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that enthralled the public. Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener.

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

BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson

BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson said on Twitter: “He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year.

“Michael Parkinson – king of the chat show – has died.”

BBC News anchor Simon McCoy

Meanwhile former BBC News anchor Simon McCoy tweeted: “Simply the Best. Anyone who was anyone was interviewed by him.

“What an amazing career he had. Thoughts with his family.”

Eddie Izzard

Eddie Izzard remembered Sir Michael Parkinson as the “king of the intelligent interview”.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Izzard wrote: “Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview.”

Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth

Broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth said Sir Michael Parkinson was “one of my heroes” in an emotional post on social media.

He tweeted: “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.

“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.”

Cultural Secretary Lucy Frazer

The Culture Secretary has called Sir Michael Parkinson a “broadcasting giant who set a gold standard for the television interview”.

Writing on Twitter, now known as X, Lucy Frazer added: “He spent his life entertaining millions of us with his Saturday night talk show & was one of our most treasured TV personalities.

“My thoughts are with Michael’s family & friends.”

Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has said it is “saddened” to learn of the death of Sir Michael Parkinson.

Sir Michael was a lifelong fan of cricket, with his childhood dreams of playing cricket for Yorkshire dashed when he left school aged 16 and instead began working at a local paper.

On Twitter, the club wrote: “Everyone at Yorkshire Cricket is saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Michael Parkinson.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Sir Michael’s family and friends.”