Loved and irreplaceable

'Parky' set the standard for generations of interviewers

- MARK JEFFERIES

 

HIS verbal sparring match with Muhammad Ali set the standard for chatshows - and to generations of viewers, Sir Michael Parkinson was Our Greatest.

He was confrontational without being aggressive, respectful but never fawning, taking his subjects seriously but never himself.

Huge stars from the worlds of sport, music, film and TV passed by his sofa over 40 years. None of them will ever forget the experience.

No wonder so many celebrities lined up to pay tribute to Sir Michael, who died peacefully at home on Wednesday aged 88.

Another TV knight, Sir David Attenborough, said: "He was a proud Yorkshireman but he was beyond region or class - he was himself.

"He was also an ideal interviewer for asking interesting and often important questions because he genuinely wanted to know the answer.

"He had a great sense of humour and didn't take himself too seriously.

The 97-year-old said being interviewed by "Parky" was like meeting a friend, adding: "He was extremely generous, he wanted you to shine and would always laugh at your jokes and give you an opportunity to make them sound funnier than, in fact, they were."

As well as that famous 1974 clash with Ali - in which he challenged the heavyweight champion on his belief in racial separation - Sir Michael is also known for his candid chats with footballer David Beckham, singer George Michael and actors Lauren Bacall, John Wayne and Raquel Welch.

Comedian Billy Connolly puts much of his success down to his first slot on Parkinson - his self-titled talk show, which ran from 1971 to 1982, then from 1998 to 2007.

Rocketman singer Sir Elton John said he loved Parkinson's company.