Sir Michael Parkinson interviewed the biggest names in acting, music and sport on his prime-time chat show, which ran from 1971.


Here is a selection of the estimated 2,000 famous guests he encountered over four decades.



Image caption,Boxer Muhammad Ali was one of Parkinson's most famous guests, and is pictured sparring with the host on his second visit in 1974


Image caption,Ali returned to the Parkinson studio in 1981


Image caption,Footballer George Best was also interviewed multiple times, and the pair became good friends

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple was a guest in 1972

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES
Image caption,Comedy legend Peter Sellers brought a ukulele for his appearance in 1974

IMAGE SOURCE,RADIO TIMES
Image caption,Parkinson with Morecambe and Wise in 1976

IMAGE SOURCE,ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Image caption,Another comedian, Sir Billy Connolly, was one of the best-loved and most frequent interviewees, pictured on Parkinson's show One to One in 1987

IMAGE SOURCE,ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Image caption,Sir Billy had Sir Michael and Tom Cruise in stitches during an appearance on Parkinson in 2004


Image caption,Sir David Attenborough was a guest in 2002

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Image caption,Sir Paul McCartney brought his guitar in 2005







Image caption,David Bowie and Tom Hanks joined the host in 2002


Image caption,In 2001, Victoria Beckham let slip that her nickname for husband David was "Goldenballs"


Image caption,Comedian Peter Kay started out as Sir Michael's warm-up man, before appearing as a guest


Image caption,Sir Michael and George Clooney in 2003


Image caption,With actor Sir Michael Caine in 2004

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Image caption,Parkinson was criticised for questioning Helen Mirren about her "equipment" and "physical attributes" in 1975 - she returned 31 years later when she starred in The Queen


Image caption,Sir Michael with Victoria Wood in 2000

IMAGE SOURCE,ITV/SHUTTERSTOCK
Image caption,Will Smith got the host out of his chair


Image caption,Dame Judi Dench appeared on the show in 2002


Image caption,An up-and-coming MP named Boris Johnson was a guest in 2003