M b parkinson biography channels

As a young man, the late Sir Michael Parkinson wanted to become a professional cricketer. Little did he know that his second-choice career in journalism would eventually make him one of Britain's best-loved celebs.

Early days as a TV news reporter on shows such as Twenty-Four Hours led to his own eponymous evening chat show and the rest, as they say, is history.

Broadcasting legend

Over the years, "Parky" interviewed just about every major star in the world on Parkinson, from Orson Wells to Meg Ryan, and Muhammad Ali to David and Victoria Beckham.

Despite the Yorkshire-born star sometimes courting controversy (as happened during his interview with Helen Mirren which was branded my many as sexist) he generally remained a much loved TV personality.

As well as TV, Sir Michael was also a star of the radio, and had his own show – Parkinson's Sunday Supplement – on BBC Radio 2 from 1996 to 2007.

Parkinson also hosted Desert