THE WORLD'S GREATEST CHAT SHOW HOST

After cutting his teeth at the Daily Express, Sir Michael Parkinson, who has died aged 88, enjoyed a stellar career interviewing the most famous people on the planet. His encounters with the likes of Muhammad Ali, David Attenborough, Elton John, Paul McCartney and, to his lasting chagrin, Emu, remain part of TV folklore

- Dominic Bliss

HE WAS almost called Melbourne Gershwin Parkinson. His father, a huge cricket fan, opted for the unusual first name, as that was where England had won a Test match shortly before he was born. His mother, however, wanted to honour her favourite composer. Fortunately, they compromised with the more traditional Michael.

Sir Michael Parkinson, who died on Wednesday at the age of 88 after a short illness, will forever be remembered as one of Britain’s greatest talk-show hosts.

During a career that lasted more than 70 years most of it on the prime-time programme Parkinson, after early

years at the Daily Express he interviewed many of the most famous human beings on the planet, employing brilliant journalistic skills in some unforgettable encounters.

A statement from his family said: After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.” They asked for privacy and time to grieve.

For such a giant of broadcasting, his background was a humble one. He was born in 1935 on a council estate in the South Yorkshire mining village of Cudworth, not far from Barnsley, and close to the colliery where his father Jack toiled.

Parkinson senior, desperate his son shouldn’t follow him down the mine, decided one weekend to show him the grim reality of working underground. A morning in the pit was all that was needed to discourage the youngster.