 Months before his death, Sir Michael Parkinson made some frank remarks about his career in his last TV appearance on the BBC. On Thursday August 17, it was announced that the former host of celebrated talk show Parkinson had died at the age of 88. In a statement shared with the BBC, his 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.' Following the news of his death, fans have been remembering many of Sir Michael's most unforgettable moments on TV, from sparring with boxing legend Muhammad Ali to having a frosty exchange with Hollywood star Meg Ryan. One of the journalist's final TV appearances before his death took place in November last year for an interview on BBC Breakfast. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video During the conversation, Sir Michael admitted that he didn't 'recognise' his former self, describing his talk show persona as a 'disguise'. After being asked by Naga Munchetty if he ever 'got sick' of watching old clips of his TV show, he responded: 'Absolutely.' 'I don't recognise the person,' he continued. 'It's a disguise. This is a disguise. You're not yourself at all – it changes you, no matter how considerate you might be with the problems of being famous. It changes you, and it's bound to.' Naga questioned 'how' it changes you, to which Sir Michael replied: 'Just people's reaction to you, and it makes you sometimes a worse person than you are.' Sir Michael shared a profound conversation with Muhammad Ali in 1974 (Picture: BBC Picture Archives) Sir Paul McCartney was among the stars who appeared on the final episode of Parkinson in 2007 (Picture: ITV) Comedian Peter Kay helped to celebrate Parkinson on the final episode of the programme (Pictu){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Months before his death, Sir Michael Parkinson made some frank remarks about his career in his last TV appearance on the BBC.
On Thursday August 17, it was announced that the former host of celebrated talk show Parkinson had died at the age of 88.
In a statement shared with the BBC, his 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.’