Inside Michael Parkinson’s ‘difficult’ health battles: Veteran broadcaster battled cancer and had to learn how to walk again before his death at 88

Michael Parkinson overcame a series of ‘difficult’ health problems before dying after a short illness at the age of 88.

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Parky’ by friends and fans alike, the veteran announcer became one of the most famous names in Britain thanks to his groundbreaking interviews, in an extraordinary five-decade TV career.

A statement from Sir Michael’s family said: ‘After a short illness, Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family. The family asks for privacy and time to mourn.”

Michael overcame a lifelong battle with prostate cancer and had to relearn how to walk after spinal surgery.

He was last seen in public in April looking frail as he celebrated his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday following his last TV appearance in November.

Fight against cancer

In 2013, Michael revealed that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer after a routine health checkup.

At the time, he explained in an interview that it had come as a “great shock” but was expected to make a “full recovery.”

He said, “The cancer specialist said, ‘I assure you, you’re not going to die from this.’ Of course I’m worried about it, but I’m not afraid of it.’

After two years of treatment, Michael was given the all-clear in 2015 and became a patron of Yorkshire Cancer Research that same year.

He said, “When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was shocked. But the doctors were very positive and I soon had a good treatment plan that gave me peace of mind.’

Spinal surgery

In 2017, Michael learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured intervertebral discs.

He told The Sunday Mirror at the time: ‘I’ve been ill for the last five years. I have overcome prostate cancer, but it has been a difficult period in my life. And my spine surgery has entailed a long and unpleasant recovery.

“But what gets me through in many ways is the thought of not becoming superfluous. I don’t want to be on the rubbish heap – and above all that is the best motivation for anyone who is getting old.’

While Michael admitted that learning to walk again at age 82 was a challenge, and he was still “not on his feet,” he assured his fans that there was “nothing wrong” with his mind.

‘Vulnerable’ appearance

In November 2020 viewers of Good morning Great Britain were concerned about Sir Michael’s ‘weak’ appearance after an interview about his new book.

While Michael, who became a national icon during his role as the host of the BBC show Parkinson, spoke poignantly about the death of his father John William, many viewers seemed distracted by the 85-year-old’s appearance.

Some said he looked “unrecognizable,” while another commented, “Parky looks frail but still sharp as a pin, a big part of my TV watching growing up, brilliant interviewer.”

Another wrote: ‘When did Parky get so old? Mind you, it is a privilege denied to so many…”

Death from a ‘brief illness’

Michael’s family shared the news of his death in a statement, revealing that he passed away “peacefully” at home.

They said: ‘Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night, surrounded by his family, after a short illness. The family asks for privacy and time to mourn.”

He is survived by his wife Lady Mary Parkinson and they lived together in Bray, Berkshire.

They had three children, Michael Jr., Nicholas and Andrew. Sir Michael, of Barnsley, and Lady Mary, of nearby Doncaster, met as young journalists and were married for 64 years.

Since news of his passing, tributes have been pouring in, including Stephen Fry and Dickie Bird sharing their favorite memories from Michael’s career.

Parky began his journalism career reporting for his hometown newspaper, the Barnsley Chronicle, The Guardian and then the Daily Express, before moving into broadcasting, first at ITV’s Granada and then the BBC.

All in all, over the years, Parkinson collected 2,000 interviews with some of the best-known names from all walks of life, including royalty.

After 20 years on the BBC, his last major series was hosting two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.

The TV star, who lived in Berkshire with his wife Mary, has previously spoken about his long-running chat show.

Of his heyday – in which he sat one-on-one, often for a full hour, with the likes of Orson Welles, Madonna and David and Victoria Beckham – he said: “I had the best of it, in terms of the guys I could choose from . The older and the newer, as well as the kind of television that was broadcast at the time. It was bliss.’

Parkinson’s favorites included iconic footballer George Best, with whom he developed a deep friendship before dying prematurely at age 59 following a liver transplant.

He also counted Sir Billy Connolly among his favorite interviews, praising the comedian as ‘a natural funny man’. His string of successful appearances on the show propelled Sir Billy Connolly, then a working Scottish comedian and singer, to worldwide stardom