Sir Michael Parkinson leaves six-figure sum to his family in will after 50-year TV career

LEGENDARY TV interviewer Sir Michael Parkinson near a staggering six-figure sum to his beloved woman successful his will, The Sun tin reveal.

The BBC and ITV chat amusement host, who interviewed 2,000 of the world's apical celebrities, near an property worthy astir £300,000.

His volition was signed disconnected by a court past week aft his decease successful August 2023 aged 88.

Parky near £308,985, which was reduced to £292,512 aft funeral costs, ineligible bills and debts were paid off.

It passed each of his currency and assets to his woman of 64 years, Lady Mary Parkinson.

Parky appointed his sons Andrew, Nick and Mike arsenic executors aft signing the volition successful May 2020.

Sir Michael was calved successful Cudworth, adjacent Barnsley, South Yorkshire, successful 1935.

He near schoolhouse aged 16 and chopped his teeth successful journalism astatine the Barnsley Chronicle, earlier being drafted for National Service.

After becoming the youngest skipper successful the Army, Sir Michael joined the Daily Express.

His large interruption connected Fleet Street came aft helium was handed a play sports file successful The Sunday Times successful 1965.

Sir Michael moved from newspapers to television successful the precocious 1960s erstwhile helium was offered a relation connected Granada.

He remained astatine the broadcaster for 3 years earlier joining the BBC to enactment connected the late-night news review Twenty-Four Hours with Cliff Michelmore.

After a little instrumentality to Granada wherever helium presented film reappraisal bid Cinema, Sir Michael was offered his ain amusement - Parkinson - by the BBC successful 1971.

The format took disconnected and made the presenter a prima successful his ain close acknowledgment to his down-to-earth interviews.

During the 11-year series, Sir Michael interviewed giants from the satellite of music, movie and sport.

Notable guests included Muhammad Ali, David Beckham, David Bowie, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, George Best and David Attenborough.

There was besides an infamous interrogation successful 1976 erstwhile Sir Michael sat down with entertainer Rod Hull, whose mitt puppet Emu continually attacked the big - yet causing him to autumn disconnected his chair.

Fellow guest Billy Connolly threatened: "If that vertebrate comes anyplace adjacent me, I'll interruption its cervix and your bloody arm".

The TV large died astatine his location successful Bray, Berkshire, successful August 2023 aged 88.

He shared the location with woman Mary, who helium joined successful August 1959 and had three children with.

We aboriginal revealed however he held a low-key ceremonial work with adjacent pals and relatives successful a section pub.

BBC director-general Tim Davie led tributes aft his death.

He said: "Michael was the king of the chat amusement and helium defined the format for each the presenters and shows that followed.

"He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th period and did truthful successful a mode that enthralled the public. Michael was not lone superb astatine asking questions, helium was besides a fantastic listener.

"Michael was genuinely 1 of a kind, an unthinkable broadcaster and writer who volition beryllium hugely missed."

Sky Sports pundit Geoff Shreeves shared a representation with Sir Michael, penning connected Twitter: "They accidental ne'er conscionable your hero’s . I did and held Sir Michael Parkinson successful adjacent greater esteem.

"Consummate pro, superb interviewer and lukewarm genuine down to earth due journalist. The undisputed king of chat shows. Condolences to his family."

Comedian Stephen Fry said being interviewed by Sir Michael was "impossibly thrilling".