Sir Michael Parkinson got down in tears when describing his best interview in an unearthed tape.
Yesterday it was reported that the iconic talk show host has died, as celebrities and fans alike paid respect and remembered his conversations.
A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: ‘After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.
‘The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.’
To honour the renowned personality, the BBC modified its programming schedule to include Parkinson at 50, a documentary, beginning in 2021.
The documentary, which was published to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Sir Michael’s debut episode of Parkinson, which aired on June 16, 1971, included some of his most iconic interviews and unforgettable situations.
His encounters with Dame Helen Mirren, Posh and Becks, as well as his rendezvous with Meg Ryan, involved a heated argument.
During the film, which also included Muhammad Ali and Sir David Attenborough, Sir Michael reflected on the interview he would “never forget,” which moved him to tears.
After recounting a conversation with scientist Dr Jacob Bronowski, he said: ‘It’s an excerpt I can barely watch and as you will see in the programme it brings me to tears.’
Dr Bronowski discussed his journey to Auschwitz during the 1974 talk, which Sir Michael considered his “favourite.”
‘I wasn’t very keen to go because many of my relatives from Poland had died in Auschwitz,’ Dr Bronowski told Sir Michael.
Sir Michael later fought back tears saying: ‘I almost daren’t what I have to say, that this is my favourite interview.
‘Of course watching it now, I am filled with tears.
‘It was one man’s account of the horror of what Nazi Germany did to the Jews.’
‘It is profoundly moving because he is such an extraordinary man,’ he added, breaking down into tears.
Viewers were moved to tears as they paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson in Parkinson at 50.
‘#Parkinsonat50 on @BBCOne right now is the most incredible tribute to the most incredible journalist and interviewer. Bittersweet today but what a man!! #RIPParky,’ one wrote.
Another said: ‘I could have watched #Parkinsonat50 all night & for the rest of the week. Loved the quote ‘I’m a man of my time’. Yes Michael and what a time it was; the definition of ‘they don’t make ‘em like him anymore’. Thanks @BBCOne#Goodnight#Parky.’
‘Phenomenal succession of stars being interviewed by the great man in #Parkinsonat50. Cagney, Welles, Stewart, Bacall, Ali…on and on and on. And he just gave them all the platform to shine. A real one of a kind,’ a third wrote.
Parkinson at 50 is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
