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Michael Parkinson overcame a series of “difficult” health battles before passing away after a brief illness at the age of 88.
The veteran broadcaster, affectionately referred to as ‘Parky’ by friends and fans, has become one of Britain’s most famous names thanks to his defining interviews, during an extraordinary television career spanning five decades .
A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: “After a brief illness, Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at his home last night in the company of his family. The family asks that they be given privacy and time to grieve.
Throughout his life, Michael overcame a battle with prostate cancer and had to learn to walk again after undergoing spine surgery.
He was last seen in public in April looking frail as he celebrated his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday, after he last appeared on television in November.
Battle against cancer
Challenges: Michael Parkinson overcame a series of ‘difficult’ health battles before passing away after a brief illness aged 88
Battles: The veteran broadcaster (pictured in April) overcame a two-year battle with prostate cancer after his diagnosis in 2013
In 2013, Michael revealed he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer following a routine checkup.
At the time, he explained in an interview that it had been a “big shock”, but that he needed to “fully recover”.
He said: “The cancer specialist said, ‘I assure you you won’t die of this. I care, of course, but I’m not afraid of it.
After two years of treatment, Michael was given the green light in 2015, and the same year he became a patron of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
He said: ‘When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer I was shocked. But the doctors were very positive and I quickly put a good treatment plan in place that put me at ease.
Spine surgery
Struggles: In 2017, Michael learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured discs
In 2017, Michael learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured discs.
He told the Sunday Mirror at the time: ‘I have been sick for five years. I beat prostate cancer, but it was a tough time in my life. And my spine operation resulted in a long and unpleasant recovery.
“But in many ways what gets me through is the idea of not becoming redundant. I don’t want to be on the trash heap – and that’s more than anything else the best motivation for anyone getting older.
While Michael admitted that learning to walk again at the age of 82 was a challenge, and that he “still wasn’t standing very well”, he reassured his fans that there was “nothing wrong” in his mind.
“frail” appearance
Difficult: In November 2020, internet users on Good Morning Britain were concerned about Sir Michael’s ‘frail’ appearance following an interview about his new book
In November 2020, vspectators of Hello Brittany have been concerned about Sir Michael’s “frail” appearance following an interview about his new book.
As Michael, who became a national icon during his role as presenter of the BBC’s Parkinson, spoke poignantly about the death of his father John William, many viewers seemed distracted by the appearance of the 85 year old man.
Some said he appeared “unrecognizable”, while another commented: “Parky frail, but still sharp as a pin, big part of my television viewing growing up, brilliant interviewer.”
Another wrote: ‘When did Parky get so old? Notice, this is a privilege denied to so many…’
Died of a “short illness”
Sad: Michael’s family shared the news of his death in a statement, revealing he died ‘peacefully’ at home (pictured in 2017)
Michael’s family shared the news of his death in a statement, revealing that he “peacefully” passed away at home.
They said: “After a brief illness, Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family asks that they be given privacy and time to grieve.
He is survived by his wife Lady Mary Parkinson and they lived together in Bray, Berkshire.
They had three children, Michael Jr, Nicholas and Andrew. Sir Michael, from Barnsley, and Lady Mary, from nearby Doncaster, met as young journalists and were married for 64 years.
Since news of his passing, tributes have poured in, with Stephen Fry and Dickie Bird among those sharing their fondest memories of Michael’s career.
Parky began his career as a journalist for his hometown newspaper, the Barnsley Chronicle, The Guardian, then the Daily Express, before moving into broadcasting, first at ITV’s Granada and then the BBC.
In total, Parkinson has racked up 2,000 interviews over the years with some of the most recognizable names from all walks of life, including royalty.
After 20 years at the BBC, his last major series was host to two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.
The TV star, who lived in Berkshire with his wife Mary, has previously opened up about his long-running chat show.
Of his heyday – which saw him sit one-on-one, often for an entire hour, with the likes of Orson Welles, Madonna and David and Victoria Beckham – he said: “I had the best , in terms of the guests I could choose from. Older ones and newer ones, and also the kind of television that was on at the time. It was bliss.
Among his favorites, Parkinson included iconic footballer George Best, with whom he developed a deep friendship before his untimely death at 59 following a liver transplant.
He also counted Sir Billy Connolly among his favorite interviews and hailed the comedian as “a natural funny man”. His string of successful appearances on the show put Sir Billy Connolly, then Scottish comedian and singer, on the path to world fame.