BBC announces a huge schedule shake-up as hit show is cancelled for Michael Parkinson tribute following his death at 88
The BBC has announced a huge shake-up in the wake of Michael Parkinson’s death with plans to broadcast a special documentary in tribute.
The veteran broadcaster died at the age of 88 after a ‘brief illness’ after five decades as one of Britain’s most renowned interviewers.
And BBC One has now revealed that they will be re-broadcasting the 2021 documentary Parkinson At 50 on Thursday at 9pm.
The channel originally scheduled a rerun of Who Do You Think You Are? starring Michelle Keegan.
They tweeted: ‘In a change to the scheduled programming, Parkinson At 50 airs on @BBCOne tonight starting at 9pm.
Another performance! The BBC has announced a massive scheduling shake-up in the wake of Michael Parkinson’s death with plans to broadcast a special documentary in tribute
“You can now also watch the documentary on @BBCiPlayer, along with some classic interviews from Sir Michael Parkinson.”
BBC Director General Tim Davie was one of the first to pay tribute to Michael, calling him “the talk show king” and an “incredible announcer and journalist”.
He said, “Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the hosts and shows that followed.
He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th century and did so in a way that thrilled the audience.
“Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a great listener. Michael was truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be greatly missed.”
Since news of his passing, tributes have been pouring in, including Stephen Fry and Dickie Bird sharing their favorite memories from Michael’s career.
Previously, Stephen Fry said being interviewed about Parkinson’s was “impossibly exciting.”
On Instagram, Fry wrote, “The genius of Parky was that he (unlike most people (and most of his guests, including me) was always 100% himself. On camera and off. ‘Authentic’ is the word think I.
Legendary: The veteran broadcaster died at the age of 88, after a ‘brief illness’, after five decades as one of Britain’s most renowned interviewers
Announcement: BBC One have revealed they will be re-broadcasting the 2021 documentary Parkinson At 50 at 9pm on Thursday
“For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comedic speed and brilliance. Now they are both gone.
“You should get used to the parade of people constantly falling off the edge, but honestly you don’t. Goodbye #parky.’
Comedian Dara O Briain recalled Sir Michael Parkinson doing “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen for show” after the interviewer’s death.
He tweeted, “I had the privilege of doing the Michael Parkinson show three times and I felt like I was in the ‘right showbiz’ once.
“He was a consummate professional on screen and generous and encouraging off screen. He also did the coolest thing I’ve ever seen before the show: I stood with the guests waiting for the show to start.
“Michael arrived, chatted with us, not a nerve in sight, as the band started playing the theme song. Michael paused, smiled and said, “They’re playing my tune,” and walked right out and the show started. Sweet.’
Eddie Izzard remembered Sir Michael Parkinson as the “king of the intelligent interview.”
Izzard wrote on Twitter: ‘Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview.’
British comedian and actor Matt Lucas has described Sir Michael Parkinson as a ‘titan of television’ after his death.
The 49-year-old tweeted: “Sir Michael Parkinson was a titan of television, the ultimate talk show host.
“We will never forget his brilliant interviews with Muhammad Ali, Dame Edna, Billy Connolly and of course ‘that damned emu’.”
Icon: Altogether, over the years, Parkinson collected 2,000 interviews with some of the best-known names from all walks of life, including royalty (pictured Elton interviewing John)
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.