So long Parky!’: Stephen Fry leads showbiz greats paying tribute to Michael Parkinson who has died at 88

Heartbroken stars united this morning to pay emotional tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, who passed away today aged 88.

Some of the 2,000 guests were among those who left warm words to pay their respects to the major broadcaster.

There were also memories of sports clubs he had supported throughout his life.

Comedian 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.

“For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comedic speed and brilliance. Now they are both gone.

Eddie Izzard posted a tribute saying that Parkinson was the “king of the intelligent interview.”

“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.’

Elaine Paige was one of the stars who posted tributes to the king of the chat show she called ‘legendary’

Dara O Briain remembered his performance on the show and the effortless cool Parkinson exuded

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’.”

The BBC will rebroadcast a celebratory program about Sir Michael Parkinson.

It tweeted: ‘In a change to the scheduled programming, Parkinson At 50 airs on @BBCOne tonight from 9pm.

“You can now also watch the documentary on @BBCiPlayer, along with some classic interviews from Sir Michael Parkinson.”

British singer and actress Elaine Paige paid tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson, describing him as a “legendary interviewer.”

She shared a photo of the couple on X, formerly Twitter, saying: “Such sad news that Sir Michael Parkinson has passed away.

Sir Michael Parkinson dies at the age of 88 Michael Parkinson and Cilla Black many years ago

Michael Parkinson arrives at London’s Royal Albert Hall for a BAFTA Award ceremony with his wife Mary

British journalist David Frost; Viscount Linley and interviewer Michael Parkinson sit on Center Court at Wimbledon in 2000

‘Knowed him for many years, sang on his TV chat show and attended many events with him.

A legendary interviewer who will be remembered as the best in his field. We shall never see his equal again.’

Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: ‘Very sad news of Michael Parkinson’s passing. End of an era RIP.’

Eamonn Holmes said it was a “privilege” to know Sir Michael Parkinson “on and off screen”.

He wrote on Twitter, now known as X: “Parky. King of the Chat Show Hosts. A privilege to know and learn from him on and off screen.

They don’t make them like that anymore. Tear Sir Michael Parkinson.”

Broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth said Sir Michael Parkinson was ‘one of my heroes’ in a moving social media post.

He tweeted: “They were talk shows, of course, but they were much more than that: they were really engaging conversations that brought out the best in his guests.

And what a guest list. ‘Parky’ was one of my heroes – and a nice guy. A privilege to have known and worked with him.’

Barnsley FC said the club has ‘lost one of its favorite sons’ following the death of Sir Michael Parkinson.

The club tweeted: ‘Barnsley Football Club is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Michael Parkinson CBE.

“The town has lost one of its favorite sons and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club has said it is ‘saddened’ at the death of Sir Michael Parkinson.

Sir Michael was a lifelong fan of cricket, and his childhood dreams of playing cricket for Yorkshire were shattered when he left school aged 16 and instead took a job at a local newspaper.

On Twitter, the club wrote: “Everyone at Yorkshire Cricket is saddened by the passing of Sir Michael Parkinson.

“The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Sir Michael’s family and friends.”