Sir Michael Parkinson dies aged 88 as fans and stars pay tribute - live updates

Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88, his family have confirmed to the BBC this morning.

The chat show host, known for interviewing the world's most famous celebrities and icons, is said to have died 'peacefully' after a 'brief illness.'

A statement from Sir Michael's family said: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.

"The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve."

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Parkinson began as a journalist on local newspapers straight after leaving school and worked as a features writer for the Manchester Guardian.

During the 1960s, Parkinson moved into television, working on current affairs programmes for the BBC and Manchester-based Granada Television.

Sir Michael's high-profile guests included Sir Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Sir Elton John, Madonna and Dame Helen Mirren.

We will be bringing all the latest updates and tributes below.

Bafta said it was “saddened” by the death of Sir Michael Parkinson at the age of 88.

The organisation added: “Parkinson’s TV career spanned seven-decades and saw him interview the world’s biggest stars on his long-running chat show Parkinson, for which he won a Bafta in 1999.”

Very sad to hear that Michael Parkinson has left us. He was the king of the intelligent interview https://t.co/jUF6hE79q3

The Culture Secretary has called Sir Michael Parkinson a “broadcasting giant who set a gold standard for the television interview”.

Writing on Twitter, now known as X, Lucy Frazer added: “He spent his life entertaining millions of us with his Saturday night talk show & was one of our most treasured TV