Chat show host Michael Parkinson dies aged 88

ENGLAND, Aug 17: Veteran broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88.

His TV career spanned seven decades, and he interviewed the world's biggest stars on his long-running chat show.

A statement from Sir Michael's family said: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family."

Sir David Attenborough led the tributes, saying the host "always wanted the interviewee to shine".

Sir David, who was a guest on Parkinson a number of times, told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "With Michael, it was always friendly, always thorough, always intelligent, always a pleasure to do it, and I think that came over no matter who is interviewee was.

"He always did his homework, he always knew what the interesting bits were, and he steered you through."

He added: "As a viewer, you knew if Michael was asking the questions there were going to be good questions, they would illicit good answers."

BBC director general Tim Davie described Sir Michael as "truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed".

"Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed," Davie said.

"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."

(BBC)