SPECIAL EDITION: Michael Parkinson

Sir Michael Parkinson was a journalist, broadcaster, and arguably Britain’s greatest television chat show host. During a TV career than spanned six decades, Parky interviewed hundreds of the world's most famous stars.

Sir Michael died on 16th August 2023.

For Last Word, John Wilson talks to Sir Michael's son Mike about his father's life and career. Starting with his upbringing in a council house in Cudworth, near Barnsley, discussing his relationship with his parents, and later with his wife Mary.

In this revealing special edition, Mike says his father was "constantly questioning himself" after joining the mainstream media and "didn't have as much self-confidence as he appears". He also tells of how despite going on to success at both Granada Television and ITV, Sir Michael harboured "an innate distrust of the establishment.

Presented by John WilsonProduced by Ed Prendeville

Last Word

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

• No. of episodes: 523
• Latest episode: 2025-07-11
• Society & Culture Personal Journals

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