23/11/2007

Emotional Parkie Records His Final Show

It was an emotional finale for one of the most iconic of all TV interviewers.

The much-respected Michael Parkinson had to fight back tears as he interviewed the final guests on his long-running TV chat show.

The star-studded two-hour Parkinson - the second of three specials bringing down the curtain on his talk show career - airs on ITV1 on 15 December.

The veteran interviewer had a "wish list" of star names on his penultimate ITV1 show, where he filmed encounters in the studio for the last time.

David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Edna Everage, Billy Connolly and Peter Kay were among the guests on the two-hour special.

Other guests were jazz star Jamie Cullum and Sir David Attenborough.

The 72-year-old's very last show for ITV1 will be a lifetime retrospective.

"Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people," Parkinson said as filming of the show drew to a close.

Comedian Kay presented Parkinson with a buttoned alarm to wear around his neck and made him dress up as a lollipop man, telling him he should take the job now that he was going to be unemployed.

Beckham told of his disappointment at England's football defeat against Croatia and received a huge cheer from the audience.

Dame Judi sang a song for the host and jazz singer Cullum performed Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone as a tribute to Parkinson.

Sir Michael Caine, who has been on the show more than any other actor, asked Parkinson if he was going to sign on for benefits now that the show was ending.

Parkie is also to end his weekly programme on BBC Radio 2 so he can pursue other projects and write his autobiography.

(BMcC)

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