Michael Parkinson: From his admiration for Shane Warne to Ian Thorpe coming out as gay in a moving interview and his time Down Under – how Parky held a special place in the hearts of Australia’s biggest names

British broadcasting legend Sir Michael Parkinson, whose death at the age of 88 was announced on Thursday, had a long affinity for and love for Australia and some of its most famous celebrities.

Regarded as one of the greatest television interviewers ever, Parkinson showed an extraordinary skill at teasing the likes of John Lennon and Muhammad Ali than most others could.

This became very clear in 2014 when Australian Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe used an interview with Parkinson to reveal he was gay, after denying it for years.

“I’m not straight,” the swimmer told Parky, as he was commonly known.

“And this is only something that very recently. We’ve been talking for the past two weeks. I’ve felt comfortable telling the closest people around me just that.”

Parkinson, who was such a big cricket fan, flew to Australia in January 2007, which he considered his ‘second home’, for an hour-long interview with Shane Warne, whom he called his ‘hero’.

In 2014 Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe (right) used an interview with Parkinson’s (left) to reveal he was gay, after denying it for years

Sir Michael Parkinson and Lady Mary Parkinson arrive for the opening night of the St George OpenAir Cinema at Mrs Macquarie’s Point on January 12, 2009 in Sydney, Australia

Michael Parkinson is depicted sitting on the hood of a car with the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge visible in the background, circa 1983

When Warne died suddenly in Thailand last year, the broadcaster expressed its deep sorrow, saying, “Shane was a dear friend of mine.

“He was insanely talented at cricket – none better,” he said Nine newspapers. “He wasn’t that careful about his private life.”

But Parkinson’s love for Australia began long before Thorpe or Warne became household names.

From 1979 to 1983 he recorded 75 episodes of an Australian edition of his Sydney talk show for the ABC, filming the likes of Barry Humphries, Paul Hogan, Bob Hawke, Kerry Packer, Bert Newton and then Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke- Petersen, interviewed.

But times change, and when ABC began streaming some last year, each episode began with a disclaimer that said, “The following program expresses an attitude inconsistent with today’s standards and may offend some viewers.”

When Shane Warne (right) died suddenly in Thailand last year, Parkinson (left) expressed his deep sorrow, saying: ‘Shane was a dear friend of mine’

Michael Parkinson (right) is pictured with Barry Humphries and Qantas CEO Alan Joyce on March 26, 2018

Paul Hogan (pictured right) was one of many Australian celebrities who interviewed Michael Parkinson (left).

Michael Parkinson interviews Australian comedian Barry Humphries

Pictured is Prime Minister Bob Hawke (right) being interviewed by Michael Parkinson

Michael Parkinson is pictured outside the Network 10 studios in Sydney, Australia, circa 1983

Parkinson’s last trip to Australia was in 2019 as part of his farewell tour.

In An Evening With Sir Michael Parkinson, he was interviewed on stage by his son as they reflected on his rise to fame.

He said at the time that the show was an “unashamed dip in a warm bath of nostalgia”.

It’s a two-hour entertaining and sometimes emotional romp through my life and career.

“My life has been an unlikely and remarkably happy journey from a pit village to the top of those famous steps.”

Shane Warne (left) and Sir Michael Parkinson watch during the Child Bereavement Charity Ashes Golf Challenge at Stoke Park on July 21, 2009 in Stoke Poges, England

Michael Parkinson and his wife Mary pose together during day two of the fourth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 27 December 2006

Michael Parkinson (left) is pictured as fellow TV personality Bert Newton for the ABC

Before his longtime love affair with Australia, Parkinson became one of the most famous names in Britain following his groundbreaking interviews with Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Billy Connolly, Orson Welles and many of the world’s biggest stars in a career spanning five decades.

There were also wildly comedic – and awkward interviews – including being assaulted while talking to Rod Hull and Emu, as well as a spiky Meg Ryan in 20 years of over 2,000 BBC interviews beaming into 17 million homes in the UK on a Saturday night.

A statement from his family on Thursday 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.”

He is survived by his wife Lady Mary Parkinson – they were married for 64 years – and their three children, Michael Jr, Nicholas and Andrew.