'They should re-run the best shows of my giant friend Parky'

JIMMY Tarbuck said he planned to have lunch with Sir Michael Parkinson this week as he paid tribute to a friend he called a "giant of our industry".

- Charlotte McLaughlin

Chat-show host Sir Michael has been praised by his celebrity guests including Sir Elton John, Sir Rod Stewart, Sir David Attenborough and David Beckham following his death at the age of 88 on Wednesday.

Speaking to Good Morning Britain yesterday, veteran comedian Tarbuck said: "Last week at the house, I was with young Michael, his son, and [I] said, 'I'll go now, you're getting a bit tired'. He said, 'Yeah, OK. Thanks for coming, lunch next week?'

Compelling

"I said, 'You arrange it and I'll be there', and unfortunately I won't."

Tarbuck, 83, said Sir Michael was a "great journalist" and a "modest man" who was "delightful company".