Sir Michael Parkinson: Wiki, Bio, Age, Height, Author, Writer, Broadcaster, Career, Net Worth, Early Life, and Other Details: Sir Michael Parkinson is an English author, writer, and broadcaster. He hosted several discussion shows and programmes in the UK and abroad in addition to his television talk show, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2007. Additionally, he has experience in radio. He has been referred to as “the great British talkshow presenter” by The Guardian. His birthday is March 28, 1935.
Michael Parkinson’s Early Life
On March 28, 1935, Parkinson was born in the village of Cudworth, close to Barnsley, which was formerly in the West Riding of Yorkshire but is now a part of the new metropolitan county of South Yorkshire. the miner’s son. After completing the eleven-plus, he attended Barnsley Grammar School, where, in 1951, he earned two O-Levels in English language and art.
Parkinson played club cricket, and he and Dickie Bird, his opening partner at Barnsley Cricket Club, participated in tryouts with Geoffrey Boycott for Yorkshire. By scoring a century and 50 in two consecutive games, he once prevented Boycott from being selected for the Barnsley Cricket Club team. Between 1988 and 1990, Michael Parkinson’s World XI performed at the Scarborough Festival.
After finishing high school, Parkinson started working as a journalist for regional publications. Alongside Michael Frayn, he wrote features for the Manchester Guardian, and then for the Daily Express in London.
Parkinson got a commission as an officer in the Royal Army Pay Corps during his two years of National Service, which began in July 1955, and at the time was the youngest captain in the British Army. As a British Army press liaison officer during the Suez Crisis, he participated in combat operations in Egypt.
Michael Parkinson’s Television Career & Muhammad Ali Interview
Parkinson transitioned to television in the 1960s, producing current events shows for the BBC and Manchester-based Granada Television. From March 1966 until January 1968, he worked as a reporter and host for BBC1’s daily news magazine programme Twenty-Four Hours, which aired five times a week. He began hosting Granada’s Cinema, a late-night film review show, in 1969. In July 1971, he began hosting his own BBC series, Parkinson, which lasted until April 1982, and again from January 1998 to December 2007. At the halfway point of the second run, he left the BBC for ITV1. He estimates that he has spoken with 2,000 world-famous personalities.
Along with Angela Rippon, Anna Ford, David Frost, and Robert Kee, Parkinson was a member of the inaugural TV-AM cast in 1983. Up until February 1984, Parkinson hosted the weekend edition of the programme.
In addition, starting in 1984, he took over as host of Thames Television’s Give Us a Clue from Michael Aspel. In 1985, he filled in for Barry Norman as the host of Film 85.
Parkinson hosted 15 episodes of Parkinson One to One for Yorkshire Television in 1987 and 1988. Parkinson One to One was a series of interview shows that followed the format of his BBC talk show but focused on a single famous guest every episode.
On Halloween in 1992, Parkinson made a cameo as himself in the Ghostwatch television drama as the studio link during a made-up, seemingly real paranormal investigation. However, because it was shot in the cinéma vérité style, people who thought it showed actual events complained. He served as the anchor of the afternoon BBC One show Going for a Song from 1995 until 1999. In Richard Curtis’ romantic comedy Love Actually from 2003, he reprised his role as himself and interviewed with Bill Nighy’s Billy Mack.
Parkinson taking interview with Muhammad Ali
Parkinson hosted “Symphony at the Movies” at the Sydney Opera House from January 31 to February 3, 2007. He told tales of his encounters with movie stars and introduced music from motion pictures. Meg Ryan visited the UK in October 2003 to promote In the Cut, and Parkinson conducted a contentious interview with her there. Parkinson described it as his most challenging television experience.
Parkinson made an appearance as himself on the Australian serial opera Neighbours in 2007. Parkinson held back tears on November 24, 2007, as he recorded the final regular episode of his ITV talk show, which was shown on December 16. Jamie Cullum, a frequent performer on his show, was the final musician to do so. As of December 2008, Parkinson had 458 credits for both solo and collaborative presentations.
Parkinson was a staple of the BBC’s prime-time lineup, bringing in big stars before the chat show circuit became a tool for marketing. Even Marlon Brando was interviewed by Parkinson. He was able to conduct interviews with wartime showbiz luminaries and draw up-and-coming comics like Billy Connolly. Sometimes, as with Fred Astaire, Orson Welles, Sir Alec Guinness, Sir Paul McCartney, Muhammad Ali, George Michael, Madonna, John Cleese, and Mel Gibson, he was not hesitant to give an interviewee time to be themselves, dedicating a full show to a guest who was seen to be particularly notable. According to Parkinson, “If I could save one interview from the thousands I have done, it would be the one-man show with Professor Jacob Bronowski”.
He spoke at Brisbane’s second Bradman Oration on December 18, 2003. He acknowledged that Muhammad Ali was the most outstanding person he had ever spoken with and expressed sorrow over not having spoken with Frank Sinatra or Sir Don Bradman.
Parkinson made a comeback to television presenting in November 2012 with the premiere of his new programme Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts.
Michael Parkinson Radio Career & Shows
After Roy Plomley, the show’s founder passed away in 1985, Parkinson took over for the 1986 season on BBC Radio 4. Roy Plomley’s widow was not delighted about Parkinson succeeding her husband. Even though just one of his visitors was born in the county, the BBC Board of Management criticised him after six episodes for favouring castaways from Yorkshire. According to Parkinson, the establishment was taking defensive measures after what they saw as an outsider desecrating an institution. Parkinson remained for three years before turning over responsibility to Sue Lawley.
He hosted Parkinson on Sport on BBC Radio 5 Live from 1994 to 1996. Parkinson’s Sunday Supplement was a morning programme he hosted on BBC Radio 2 from 1996 to 2007 that included in-depth interviews with media figures as well as journalistic analyses of the news and entertainment. These were intermingled with songs that displayed his love of big bands and jazz music. Parkinson announced the end of his radio programme in October 2007, a few months after announcing his retirement from his television programme.
On Sunday, December 2, 2007, the last episode was shown. Interim presenters included Clive Anderson from December through January, Eamonn Holmes from February, and Fiona Bruce from March. Up until Terry Wogan went to Sunday mornings to host Weekend Wogan, Michael Ball served as his replacement. Parkinson hosted a programme in the middle of the morning on London’s LBC Newstalk 97.3FM. During the tenure of his BBC radio show, he was credited with introducing jazz singers to a wider audience.
Michael Parkinson’s Writing Career & Books
Living in a Museum, Parkinson’s first piece for the Sunday Times Color Section, debuted on July 8, 1962. Parkinson was requested to write a regular sports piece for The Sunday Times in 1965, relying on characters from his time playing football and cricket. Two volumes, Cricket Mad and Football Daft were later based on his Punch magazine and Sunday Times articles. The Woofers is a series of children’s novels that Parkinson created in the 1980s about a family of canine-like anthropomorphic beings living in the made-up Yorkshire coal mining community of Grimeworth.
Parkinson narrated a TV series that was based on the novels. He served as president of the Sports Journalists Association and published a sports column for the Daily Telegraph.
On October 2, 2008, his autobiography, Parky: My Autobiography, was released.
Parkinson discussed the recently departed Jade Goody in a Radio Times article from April 2009. Bishop Jonathan Blake, who had officiated at Goody’s wedding, objected to Parkinson’s remarks, calling Goody “barely educated, ignorant, and puerile,” and saying that “when we clear the media smokescreen from around her death, what we’re left with is a woman who came to represent all that’s paltry and wretched about Britain today.”
Michael Parkinson’s Other Work
Parkinson received a nomination for the University of Dundee’s rectorship post in 1971. After two recounts, he was very barely beaten by incumbent Peter Ustinov in one of the most competitive races ever for that office. The outcome was debatable since it was claimed that previous results had Parkinson winning. Therefore, a second recount was necessary to validate the outcome. As a result, calls for a new poll increased. While the university ruled that the initial outcome would hold, the Students’ Association held a fresh vote in which a goat was also a candidate. But this time, Ustinov defeated Parkinson, the goat, and Paul Foot with ease.
Parkinson debuted his website on September 29, 2008, and it featured online chats with Nelson Mandela and British comedian Rory Bremner. Additionally, the website has a blog where Parkinson expresses his opinions on current affairs and provides details on his compilation CD, Michael Parkinson: My Life In Music, which features his favourite songs by artists like Frank Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Dionne Warwick, and others.
On Australia Day 2011, Parkinson delivered the keynote speech in Sydney, making him the first non-Australian to do so. Parkinson promoted the end of the Australian monarchy in the media coverage around his presence on Australia Day.
Parkinson has appeared in advertisements for SunLife’s Guaranteed Over 50 Plan life insurance after ending his talk show, praising “its no-nonsense approach to business.” Financial writer Martin Lewis, who claimed in 2012 that the plan was bad value for users, criticised his part in promoting the scheme.
Parkinson was one of 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian in August 2014 expressing their desire for Scotland to vote to remain a member of the United Kingdom in the country’s September referendum on the subject.
Michael Parkinson Views
Parkinson lamented the state of television in general in May 2009, saying he was tired of celebrities hosting programmes, documentaries with ludicrously long titles, and property shows. Parkinson said, “In my television paradise, there would be no more property programmes, no more police-chasing-yobbos-in-cars programmes, and, most importantly, and please God, no more so-called documentary shows with titles like My 20-Ton Tumour, My Big Fat Head, Wolf Girl, Embarras Parkinson made an appearance on Richard Bacon’s Radio 5 Live broadcast on October 11, 2010, and expressed his disdain towards comedian and actor Russell Brand by remarking, “I don’t understand the purpose of him.”
In 2013, Parkinson once again criticised the direction British television has taken, disparagingly contrasting shows like The One Show with the broadcasts of the recently dead Alan Whicker and David Frost and asserting that the standards had been warped by the cult of youth. Parkinson talked wistfully of a period when manufacturers were free of annoyances like compliance, health and safety regulations, and tiresome commissioning procedures. Parkinson’s critique was dismissed by The One Show host Alex Jones.
Michael Parkinson Honors and Awards
Parkinson was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Lincoln in 1999, and the University of Huddersfield recognised him in 2008. Following his recognition in the 2000 Birthday Honours, he was invested as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Prince Charles in November 2000 for his contributions to broadcasting. In the 2008 New Year’s Honours List, Parkinson was named a Knight Bachelor. Parkinson observed that, being from Barnsley, he was “not the kind to receive a knighthood.” These days, anyone may receive it.
The British Film Institute compiled a list of the top 100 British television shows of 2000, including votes from specialists in the field, and Parkinson came in at number eight. Parkinson received the honorary patronage of Trinity College Dublin’s University Philosophical Society in April 2006. He received 20 out of 50 votes in ITV’s “TV’s 50 Greatest Stars” poll. He was knighted at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2008, by the Queen.
Parkinson was appointed the university’s first chancellor on November 11th, 2008. This position entails representing the school and awarding degrees during graduation ceremonies. When he was given the honour, he commented, “Being given the chancellorship at Nottingham Trent University is an honour. I have always worked with young, ambitious individuals in television, so I am excited to be a part of this university that supports the realisation of young people’s dreams. Additionally, I’ll have a chance to see what I missed! ” The most prominent national organisation of sports writers in the world, the Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain, has had Parkinson as its president since 2005.
He pledged to support the Reg Bartley Cricket Club in Sydney, Australia, in 2014.
Michael Parkinson’s Wife
Parkinson married Doncaster native Mary Agnes Heneghan on August 22, 1959. In the 1970s, Mary Parkinson temporarily went under her new name and served as one of the hosts of the Thames TV daytime programme Good Afternoon. They are parents of three kids. Parkinson, who had a vasectomy in 1972 to allow his wife to quit using the pill, advocated for birth control in the 1970s.
Michael Parkinson’s Net Worth
Michael Parkinson’s total net worth is $15 million.
Here is the full bio/wiki of Michael Parkinson, his name, age, height in feet, weight, body measurements, nickname interests/hobbies, girlfriend, spouse, cars, house, hometown, ethnicity, birthplace, parents, achievements, school, his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok earning/income/net worth, zodiac sign, education, caste, religion, date of birth, Author, Writer, and Broadcaster in CBE, muhammad ali.
Michael Parkinson Information Table
| Real Name | Michael Parkinson |
| Nickname | Michael |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Author, Writer, and Broadcaster in CBE |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters-Not Known
in meters-Not Known in feet inches-Not Known |
| Weight (approx.) | in Kilograms-Not Known
in pounds-Not Known |
| Figure Measurements (approx.) | Not Known |
| Eye Colour | Light Brown |
| Hair Colour | Blonde |
| Date of Birth | 28 March 1935 |
| Age (as in 2022) | 87 years |
| Birth Place | England |
| Zodiac sign/Sun sign | Aries |
| Nationality | British |
| Hometown | Not known |
| School | Not Known |
| Higher Education | Not known |
| Educational Qualification | Bachelor degree |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Caste | Not Known |
| Address | Not Known |
| Hobbies/Interests | Not Known |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriends/Girlfriends | Not Known |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Parents | Father-Not known
Mother-Not known |
| Siblings | Brothers-Not Known
Sisters-Not known |
| Husband/Wife/Spouse | Mary Parkinson |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | $15 million |
Michael Parkinson’s Social Media
Michael Parkinson Lesser Known Facts
- Parkinson enjoys watching cricket, and in 1990 he hosted a World XI squad that played Yorkshire.
- Bray, Berkshire, is the home of Parkinson and his wife.
- On a Sunday, he was rowing to the Waterside Inn, his old bar, when he ran into his buddy Michel Roux.
- Near his Berkshire home, Parkinson formerly ran a restaurant with a Michelin star.
- He identified as an agnostic atheist in an interview with Irish journalist Gay Byrne for the RTÉ religion shows The Meaning of Life.
- Band on the Run, a 1973 album by Paul McCartney and Wings, features Parkinson on the cover.
- The music video for the re-released “Is This the Way to Amarillo?” for Comic Relief, which went to number one, featured Parkinson and comedian Peter Kay in 2005.
- Parkinson was shown in issue 1697 of the Irregular Webcomic!
- Jeremy Clarkson interviewed Parkinson for Top Gear in 2008.
Michael Parkinson FAQs
1. Who is Michael Parkinson?
Michael is an author, writer, and broadcaster for CBE from England.
2. What is Michael Parkinson’s age?
He is currently 87 years old.
3. What do Michael Parkinson’s sons do?
His son Michael Parkinson Jr. is a director; Nicholas Parkinson is a communications specialist; and the youngest son, Andrew Parkinson, is a photographer.
4. Who was Michael Parkinson’s wife?
His wife is Mary Parkinson.
5. What is Michael Parkinson’s net worth?
His net worth is $15 million.
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