Parkinson 'to be knighted'

12 April 2012

Television presenter Michael Parkinson will be knighted in the New Year Honours list, it has been reported.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Queen have approved the award, which will be announced on Saturday, according to The Sun.

Parkinson, 72, was made a CBE in the 2000 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

In a television career spanning more than three decades, he has hosted memorable interviews with some of the world's most famous names, from the likes of Muhammad Ali and Nelson Mandela to Rod Hull and Emu, who infamously attacked him.

He was first given a talk show on the BBC in 1971, which he hosted for 11 years interviewing almost a thousand guests in 361 editions, regularly pulling in audiences of up to 12 million. He returned to the BBC in 1995.

He moved from the BBC to ITV in 2004 after the BBC tried to move his show to make way for Match Of The Day.

His final chat show was broadcast on December 15 and featured David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Edna Everage, Billy Connolly, Peter Kay and Jamie Cullum in the two hour special.

Speaking on his final show, he said: "Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people. It has always been a great joy and I shall miss it."

As well as his television career, Parkinson is a respected radio broadcaster, having hosted Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio Four as well as his own sports shows on Five Live. He is also an award-winning sports writer.

Last month bookmakers Ladbrokes closed the book on the Barnsley-born miner's son being awarded a knighthood after punters placed a flood of bets on him becoming Sir Michael.

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