Parky calls time on 35 years of talking

In the first edition of his final series he’s joined by another TV giant, David Frost. The pair will chew the fat about the latter’s long and distinguished career, and no doubt before you can say “hello, good evening and welcome”, the air will be thick with anecdotes.

Michael Palin is next on the bill, presumably plugging his new travelogue series in which he explores the corners of Europe that were previously hidden behind the Iron Curtain. Adding a dash of glamour will be legendary actress Diana Rigg. She’s fond of a good chin-wag, so it’ll be tricky for Parky to get a word in edgeways when the three guests get going.

Music fans aren’t left out either, as Annie Lennox, who recently returned to the spotlight, demonstrates why she’s still one of this country’s brightest singing stars.

But how did the Yorkshireman rise to become one of the country’s best-loved TV personalities? Born in 1935 near Barnsley, miner’s son Michael enjoyed a youth as an avid cricketer. He and future international umpire Dickie Bird opened the batting for their local club and had trials for Yorkshire.

But while a career in the sport lay before his pal, journalism was calling for Parky. He began by working as a cub reporter on a number of local newspapers, before moving on to the Manchester Guardian and the Daily Express in London. Parkinson then embarked on a career in television, starting out on current affairs programmes for both the BBC and Granada.

In 1969 he landed his own film review programme, which, two years later, led to the astonishingly successful, self-titled chat show. Since the show began on the BBC (although it moved to ITV1 three years ago), Parky has chewed the fat with more than 1,000 celebrities, including Billy Connolly - whom he helped launch on an unsuspecting public.

Rumour has it, the host has only been overawed by a guest once, and that was while speaking to legendary cricketer (and the presenter’s childhood hero) Keith Miller.Jazz fan Parky has also admitted he regrets never having come face to face with crooner Frank Sinatra.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the veteran however. Those who tuned in to his 2003 interview with a prickly Meg Ryan would agree with his assessment of it being his most difficult television moment.

But there is more to Michael Parkinson than just a swivel chair. He’s an established voice on Radio 2, thanks to his Sunday Supplement show, which has run for a little more than 10 years.

So, what’s next for the veteran? “I’m going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects,” he has said. “My thanks go out to all those who have worked on the shows down the years and the viewers for their loyal support and occasional kind words.” It was a pleasure, Parky.