The man Sir Michael Parkinson wanted to interview but never had the chance
Sir Michael Parkinson’s final interview has emerged, revealing the man he wanted to interview amid an outpouring of global tributes to the British TV legend who died at 88.
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It was the one interview Sir Michael Parkinson had wished he’d been able to pin down.
“He’s the man who controls us. We’re in the palm of his hand. Our fate is there,” he said of his wish to interview Russian president Vladamir Putin.
“What’s he going to do? What’s he all about? I mean, you can’t be so far removed from reality, that you don’t wake up every morning and think what the hell is going to happen today?,” Sir Parkinson, who died on Thursday night aged 88, said last year.
“I mean, we’re in a terrible political situation. Putin is a man who has caused this concern.
The interview took place around 9 months after Russia had invaded Ukraine.
“And so you would like to know, would like to find out, what is he about? What are his plans? What does he really want to achieve? Do they want a worldwide conflict? Does he want a nuclear war?
TRIBUTES FLOW FOR SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON
The entertainment industry’s biggest names have paid tribute to the legendary interviewer.
David Attenborough, Elton John and Michael Caine are among the many who have lauded the “TV titan” and “king of the chat show”.
“Michael Parkinson was irreplaceable, he was charming, always wanted to have a good laugh,” said Oscar-winner, Caine.
“He brought the best of everyone he met. Always looked forward to be interviewed by him.”
David Attenborough said being interviewed by the man known as “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.
“It was always friendly, it was always thorough, it was always intelligent, it was always a pleasure to do it and I think that came over no matter who his interviewee was.”
Elton John said Parkinson was “a real icon who brought out the very best in his guests”. “Michael Parkinson was a TV legend who was one of the greats. I loved his company and his incredible knowledge of cricket and Barnsley Football Club.”
Comedian Stephen Fry said being interviewed by Parkinson was “impossibly thrilling”.
“The genius of Parky was that (unlike most people (and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100 per cent himself. On camera and off. ‘Authentic’ is the word I suppose,” Fry said.
“For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comic speed and brilliance. Now they’re both gone.
“One should get used to the parade of people constantly falling off the edge, but frankly one doesn’t. So long #parky.”
“RIP Parky. The GOAT of TV interviewersm” British media personality Piers Morgan said.
“Wonderful character, great writer, sublimely talented broadcaster, and hilarious lunch partner. Loved him.”
BBC director general Tim Davie said Mr Parkinson was “truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed”.
“Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed,” he said.
RIP Parky.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 17, 2023
The ðŸ of TV interviewers. Wonderful character, great writer, sublimely talented broadcaster, and hilarious lunch partner. Loved him. pic.twitter.com/YzPXfdRbXT
Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died. Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show & attended many events with him. A legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession. We will never see his like again. RIP Michael. pic.twitter.com/zKBftfgvPi
— Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) August 17, 2023
“He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th Century and did so in a way that enthralled the public. Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener.”
British singer and actress Elaine Paige paid tribute to Parkinson describing him as a “legendary interviewer”.
Sharing a picture of the pair on X, formerly Twitter, she said: “Such very sad breaking news that Sir Michael Parkinson has died.
“Have known him for many years, sang on his TV chat show & attended many events with him.
“A legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession. We will never see his like again.”
Monty Python star Eric Idle, who appeared on Parkinson’s show described the interviewer as “a great Yorkshireman”.
“Farewell Parky. A great Yorkshireman and cricket fan and a lovely interviewer to be with.”
British cricket legend Geoffrey Boycott has described his childhood friend as “the soul of Yorkshire”.
The pair met at their local cricket club when they were 15.
“He was the best chat show host because he listened to people. He not only asked questions but he listened to them and he actually liked them,” Boycott told British media.
“In fact, he didn’t want them on his show unless he wanted to have them.
“He never lost his Yorkshire roots. Michael was Yorkshire in every way and he was the soul of Yorkshire. He understood how we think, how we talk and that’s why he was able to write about Yorkshire people like me.”
LEGEND GONE
Parkinson’s family confirmed the star had died at the age of 88.
“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” the statement read.
“The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”
Parkinson first shot to fame in the 1970s with the launch of the first Parkinson show on BBC.
Included in his more than 2000 interviewees were Sir Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Prince Philip, Sir Elton John, Madonna and Paul McCartney.
Muhammad Ali appeared on the program four times.
“When people ask me who I most enjoyed interviewing, I’m unable to give them an answer”, Mr Parkinson said.
“If they ask me who was the most remarkable man I ever met, I answer without hesitation – Muhammad Ali.
“I interviewed him four times – I lost on every occasion.”
Their verbal sparring sessions provided some of the show’s most memorable encounters and boosted ratings by millions each time.
Other memorable moments on the program included Rod Hull’s appearance causing chaos when a puppet Emu famously attacked Mr Parkinson on the chat show sofa, and wrestled him to the ground.
He later joked his career will always be remembered for “that bloody bird”.
Other interviewees of Parkinson included Barry Humphries, Rod Laver, John Newcombe, John Farnham, Sir Edmund Hillary.
He also sat down with Australian Prime Ministers Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and Neville Wran.
Parkinson, the TV program, first ran for 11 years from 1971 and included hundreds of episodes.
It returned to the airwaves in 1998 clocked up countless more guests until 2007 when the program came to another end.
During the break, Parkinson took his show Down Under and hosted Parkinson in Australia from 1979 until 1983. It became available on ABC iview in June 2022.
The program involved Australia’s biggest names talking about their personal lives and upcoming projects including Bob Hawke, Peter Allen, Dick Smith and Marcia Hines.
Mr Parkinson had previously received radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer in 2013 and was given the all clear in 2015.
He is survived by his wife Mary Parkinson and their three children, Michael Jr, Nicholas and Andrew.
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Originally published as The man Sir Michael Parkinson wanted to interview but never had the chance
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