Sir Michael Parkinson, one of the country’s most celebrated broadcasters and talk show hosts, has died at the age of 88, his family told the BBC. A statement from 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.” The television broadcaster has been remembered as the “king of the chat show” with a career spanning seven decades. He is perhaps best known for his eponymous talk show, Parkinson, during which he interviewed an estimated 2,000 famous guests, including the boxer Muhammad Ali, footballer George Best and comedian Sir Billy Connolly. Tributes from across the world of TV and beyond have poured in for the “titan of television”. BBC broadcaster Nick Robinson wrote on X: “He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year.” Comic Matt Lucas, said: “Sir Michael Parkinson was a titan of television, the ultimate chat show host. We’ll never forget his brilliant interviews with Muhammad Ali, Dame Edna, Billy Connolly and, of course, ‘that bloody emu’.” Dara Ó Briain praised the “consummate pro” that Parkinson was, writing: “I had the privilege of doing the Michael Parkinson show 3 times and it the most I ever felt like I was in ‘proper showbiz’. He was a consummate pro on-screen, and generous and encouraging off-screen.” Actor Eddie Izzard wrote: “Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview.” The director-general of the BBC paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson as “the king of the chat show” and an “incredible broadcaster and journalist”. In a statement, Tim Davie said: “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed. “He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that enthralled the public. Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener. “Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cancelled a meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis because his Greek counterpart failed to keep a promise not to publicly dispute ownership of the Parthenon Marbles, the...

The departure of Rupert Murdoch as the leader of Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings after decades at the helm is unlikely to have as much of an impact on conservative media overall as it would have a decade ago

Fans left in awe as GenZ couple Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios perform the 'Titanic challenge'

'RHOBH' alum Taylor Armstrong becomes first Housewife to jump across cities

Michael Jai White said, 'He was using it, he wasn’t, well, he wasn’t calling someone that, you know it’s different'

There's new insight into the reasons we're not down with clowns.

Furious with Twitch's policy change, Ninja gives Kick a chance

Music legend Bob Dylan's creative process will be studied by the lucky pair chosen per year to study his works and create their own music project.

Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System is nearing a deal to buy 20% of a holding company that owns

Stevie Nicks cannot see Fleetwood Mac reuniting without Christine McVie.

Cardinals legend Albert Pujols picked up two new jobs this week, one as a special assistant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and the other on MLB Network.Albert Pujols may be retired from baseball after rounding out his Cardinals legacy, but he's finding a bunch of ways to stay busy.On M...