Michael Parkinson, a renowned broadcaster widely considered Britain's talk show king, has died at age 88.
His family said in a statement on Thursday that Parkinson died "peacefully at home" after a brief illness.
He's seen here smiling on the BBC morning news program in 2007.
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Parkinson's career included interviews with celebrities such as Muhammed Ali, David Bowie and John Lennon.
His talk show, which was called Parkinson, first aired on the BBC in June 1971 and enjoyed a successful run until 1982.
Here, he's shown interviewing Bette Davis on the show in 1975.
Parkinson was a sports journalist before he was an interviewer.
Friend Lord Michael Grade said he saw what he was doing on a local sports program and tried to become his agent, but never heard anything.
"He was a master of his craft," he said.
"I don't really know of any chat shows other than the Parkinson show that were absolutely an appointment to view.
"He was incredibly reliable, he got the biggest stars of the day to talk to and he had a lovely — he had such a respect to the great talent and their stardom.
"But he always remained a journalist. He gave them a chance to speak. He gave them a chance to be at their best and he loved interviewing his heroes."
Parkinson was a supporter of Red Nose Day and not afraid to have some fun with himself.
He's pictured here in 1997 with Germaine Greer dressed up for the Up On The Cat Walk fashion show.
Parkinson and Bob Hoskins model a red helmet and the Truck Nose of Red Nose Day 1991.
The celebrities he interviewed also included Fred Astaire, Jimmy Cagney and Orson Welles.
Comedians Eric Morecambe (left) and Ernie Wise with Parkinson during filming for the BBC television show The Morecambe and Wise Show, in 1976.
Parkinson at home in Berkshire in 1981.
In 1998, his talk show was revived on the BBC and proved an instant hit.
It then switched to commercial rival ITV in 2004 and ran until 2007.
Parkinson sits in the radio studio after being announced as the new presenter of Desert Island Discs in 1985.
Parkinson had close ties to Australia, a country he described as his second home when he became the first non-Australian to give an Australia Day keynote address in 2011.
He's seen here in Sydney in 1982.
Indeed, he even bought an apartment in the city, where he was photographed in 1982.
Parkinson pictured on the set of a television show in 1985.
Parkinson also hosted game show Give us a Clue.
He's seen here with team leaders Liza Goddard and Lionel Blair in 1991.
Parkinson also worked on ITV's breakfast show for a time.
Here he and fellow presenter David Frost get ready for the first show in 1983.
Parkinson, who was commonly known as Parky, was knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.
"I never expected to be knighted — I thought there was more chance of me turning into a Martian really," he said, of the accolade.
Parkinson interviewed musician Cliff Richard in 1988.
Parkinson leaves behind his wife, Mary, whom he married in 1959, and three sons, photographed in 1983.
The couple are pictured here at The Championships Wimbledon in 2022.
Michael Parkinson takes the role of guest on Enough Rope with Andrew Denton in 2004.
