He was the host of the British talk show 88 – The Hollywood Reporter

Michael Parkinson and his wife Mary Parkinson watch from the Royal Box in Wimbledon during the 2022 Tennis Championships

Courtesy of Sean Bottrell/Getty Images

British talk show host Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88, the BBC reported Thursday. He has interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars, including Muhammad Ali, Elton John, Madonna, and Helen Mirren, on his long-running talk show.

Parkinson is also famous for the cover of Paul McCartney and Wings’ 1973 album band on the runAlong with the band and other celebrities such as actors James Coburn and Christopher Lee.

The BBC said: “After a short 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.”

Watchman Parkinson was once described as “the great British host of conversations”

Parkinson’s first show on BBC television began in 1971 with American jazz singer Marion Montgomery as the first guest starter for 11 years. He and his show returned to the UK Public Broadcasting Corporation in 1998 through 2007. The host once estimated that he had interviewed over 2,000 guests.

“Michael was the chat-show king,” said BBC Director-General Tim Davie, “and he defined the format for all the presenters and programs that followed”. “He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did it in a way that wowed the audience.

“Not only was Michael brilliant at asking questions, but he was also a great listener. Michael was truly one of a kind, and an amazing broadcaster and journalist who will be sorely missed.”

In 2013, Parkinson told the public that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but received doctors’ full certification regarding the disease in 2015.

Parkinson was born in 1935 in Cudworth, South Yorkshire, England. After two years in the British Army, he first became a journalist the Manchester Guardian Then for daily expression in London. He moved into television as a current affairs host and correspondent for Granada and the BBC before becoming a talk show host.

Parkinson was also known for his love of cricket. Last year, he made a rare public appearance at Wimbledon with his wife, Mary.