It's goodbye from Parkinson as he quits chat show after 25 years

 

Last updated at 17:18pm on 26th June 2007 Comments

Michael Parkinson: The veteran chat show host announced his retirement from the show which made him a household name

 

TV veteran Michael Parkinson is to retire as a chat show host after three decades, he announced today. The final series of Parkinson will have a 12 week run on ITV1 later this year.

 

Parkinson's eponymous chat show began on BBC1 in 1971. He hosted it on and off until 2004, when he quit the corporation in a row over scheduling.

 

BBC bosses had tried to move the Saturday night show to make way for Match Of The Day, after winning back the rights to show Premiership highlights. And the veteran presenter responded by switching to ITV.

 

 

Parkinson moved to ITV from the BBC in 2004. Since then, his interviewees have included Prime Minister Tony Blair.

 

But he made his name at the BBC with memorable interviews with boxer Muhammad Ali, entertainer Rod Hull and Emu, actors Richard Burton and Orson Welles.

 

 

 

More....

• Gallery: Michael Parkinson's career highlights

One of his most memorable interviews was with boxer turned Muslim Muhammad Ali

 

Meg Ryan's interview with Parkinson went none too smoothly when she accused him of asking her too many personal questions

 

But the 72-year-old said he does not plan to quit TV altogether.

Parkinson said: "After three enjoyable and productive years at ITV, and after 25 years of doing my talk show, I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last," he announced.

"I'm going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects.

He added: "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."

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Parkinson with legendary entertainer Rod Hull whose puppet Emu famously attacked the chat show host

 

Parkinson has interviewed a host of stars and political figures including Muhammad Ali, Meg Ryan and Tony Blair

 

 

 

Parkinson executive producer Mark Wells said: "Truly, this is the end of an era. Michael Parkinson is one of the giants of broadcasting, his skills as a talk show host are quite simply the best in the world.

"The Parkinson show has been a part of the British Saturday night for so long, it's hard to imagine life without it."

Good...

 

Never liked Parky's chat show

He had definitely become too "soft" over the past few years.;)