Veteran tv presenter and chat show host Michael Parkinson has died aged 88. His family released a statement saying:
After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.
Family
The popular host began his Parkinson show in 1971. Over the course of the next few decades he interviewed more than two thousand guests.
Some of his most memorable interviews were with global stars such as Muhammad Ali, Meg Ryan, John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Long ttime friend and regular guest Billy Connolly credited his first appearance on the Parkinson show as “the joke that launched his career”.