Michael Parkinson

Michael Parkinson states that he has only ever suffered from celebrity shock once his career, when he interviewed Australian cricket all-rounder Keith Miller, his childhood hero.

Since his self-titled interview show Parkinson began in 1971, Michael has of 2007 interviewed over one thousand celebrities.

Michael states that his most difficult television moment was his infamous interview with Meg Ryan in 2003, who was promoting her film In The Cut.

Michael's biggest professional regret is that he never got to interview Frank Sinatra.

Michael became the host of a film review television programme in 1969.

In the 1960's Michael moved into television, where he was involved in current affairs programmes, working on both the BBC and Granada Television.

Michael has eight grandchildren.

Michael was approached by the Manchester Guardian who wanted him as one of their reporters, and he worked there for a couple of years.

He commenced his life as a journalist by writing for local newspapers in the Yorkshire district.

Michael was enlisted in National Service, and he served in the Suez Operation, where he was the youngest ever British Army Captain.

Michael's father was a miner.

Michael has been given the credit for unearthing jazz pianist Jamie Cullum.

Michael loves jazz music, as well as big-band arrangements.

Michael is the host of a Sunday morning radio programme on BBC Radio 2, which features an interview, and a round-up of the newspaper and entertainment news, as well as containing music.

Michael used to host a mid-morning radio show on London's LBC Newstalk 97.3FM.

Michael Parkinson was spoofed in the sketch comedy series Dead Ringers by Jon Culshaw, who would interview various people on the street.

Michael appeared as himself in the British romantic-comedy Love Actually, where he interviewed Bill Nighy's character, Billy Mack, a rockstar.

Michael works regularly on the BBC Radio.

He left school at the age of 16 with his heart set on becoming a professional cricket player, however Michael was rejected by the "Yorkshire County Cricket Club". After that he turned to journalism.

Michael married Mary Heneghan on the 22nd of August, 1959. They went on to have three children together.

Michael was educated at Barnsley Grammar School, where he actually managed to pass two O-Levels in the subjects of English Literature and Art.

In 1995, he was named "Sports Feature Writer Of The Year" at the British Sports Journalism Awards.

He is also known as "The King of Chat".

He plays golf with Terry Wogan.

Michael appeared on the cover of Paul McCartney's 1973 album Band on the Run.

Michael admits to being a fan of singers George Michael and Rod Stewart.

His height is 5'10" (1.78 m).

Michael is a big cricket fan, in 1990 he hosted a World XI team against Yorkshire. His also wrote a column for the Daily Telegraph and hosting a discussion programme on BBC Radio Five Live.

In ITV'S TV's 50 Greatest Stars, Michael was ranked at #20.

In the 1980s, he wrote a series of children's books called The Woofits, about a family of anthropomorphic dog-like creatures. Eventually the books went onto become a TV Series which Michael narrated.

Michael was made a CBE in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Before he entered the world of TV, he was a journalist and reporter on the Manchester Guardian and later on the Daily Express in London.

He has three children called Andrew, Nicholas and Michael.

He is also known as "Parky".