Paul McCartney pays tribute to his ‘good friend’ Michael Parkinson after talk show legend passes away

Paul McCartney has paid tribute to Michael Parkinson, calling the late broadcaster a ‘good friend’ and ‘great guy’.

Affectionately known as “Parky” by friends and fans, the “king of the chat show” passed away surrounded by his wife Lady Mary and their children at his Berkshire home on August 16.

Paul, 81, took to Twitter on Saturday to discuss his friendship with Michael and recall how the TV legend appeared on one of Wings’ album covers.

He shared a photo of them together and wrote: ‘I first met Michael Parkinson in Liverpool when he and his team came to see us at the Cavern Club.

‘He was a very likeable man and we ended up doing our first TV appearances with Granada in Manchester, where Michael worked.

RIP: The “king of the chat show,” affectionately nicknamed “Parky” by friends and fans, passed away surrounded by his wife Lady Mary and their children at his Berkshire home on August 16

Looking back: Paul, 81, took to Twitter on Saturday to discuss his friendship with Michael and recall how the TV legend appeared on one of the Wings album covers

‘Over the years I’ve gotten to know him better and I’ve appeared on his talk show a few times.

“He was a pleasure to talk to and we always had fun.”

Paul added, “He appeared on the front cover of ‘Band on the Run’ as one of the escaping convicts in the title track.

“He was very knowledgeable about many subjects and was an avid sports enthusiast.”

“I will miss him personally, like a good friend. I send all my love to his family and friends. Cheers Michael, you’re a great guy, okay! – Paul x’

It comes after other stars including David Attenborough and Elton John paid emotional tribute to Michael.

David, 97, said being interviewed by him ‘was like meeting a friend’ – and admitted his Yorkshire timbre was ‘really refreshing’ at a time when upper-class southern accents were common on the BBC.

He said, ‘He was extremely generous, he wanted you to shine and always laughed at your jokes and gave you the chance to make them sound funnier than they actually were.

Tribute: He shared a photo of them together and wrote: ‘I first met Michael Parkinson in Liverpool when he and his team came to see us at the Cavern Club’

Memories: Paul added, “He appeared on the front cover of ‘Band on the Run’ as one of the escaping convicts in the title track”

“It was always friendly, it was always thorough, it was always intelligent, it was always a pleasure to do and I think that came across no matter who his interviewee was.”

Elton said he “has loved” spending time with Parky, saying: “Michael Parkinson was a TV legend who was one of the greats.

‘I loved his company and his incredible knowledge of cricket and Barnsley Football Club. A true icon who brought out the very best in his guests.’

Michael Caine praised him as “irreplaceable,” adding, “He was charming, always up for a good laugh. He brought the best of everyone he met. Always looked forward to being interviewed by him.’

The down-to-earth Yorkshireman, the son of a miner, became one of the most famous names in Britain after his groundbreaking interviews with Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Billy Connolly, Orson Welles and most of the world’s biggest stars in an extraordinary TV series. career spanning five decades.

There were also hugely 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 on a Saturday night.

He said his biggest regret was never being able to interview Frank Sinatra – and recently revealed that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was his most formidable interviewee.

Michael presented his program Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2004 on the BBC. He then moved to ITV where his chat show ran from 2004 to 2007.

He was last seen in public in April. The cricket-mad journalist was weak as he celebrated his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday in Headingley, Leeds. His last TV appearance was last November.

A statement from Michael’s family 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 their tthree children, Michael Jr, Nicholas and Andrew.

Michael, the son of a miner from Barnsley, and Lady Mary, from nearby Doncaster, met as young journalists and were married for 64 years.