Page 2 - Robert Kee News Today

Sir Michael Parkinson looked set to find fame as a cricketer in his younger days, but eventually it was journalism that propelled him into the limelight as he became as well known as many of the famous faces he interviewed.The broadcaster, who has di...

His career saw him at the helm of more than 600 shows and 2,000 interviews - and while most celebrities adored talking to Parky, there were a few notable exceptions.

An emollient host, he eagerly fed his guests’ self-esteem, describing a talk show as ‘an unnatural act between consenting adults in public’

He pioneered new formats, could get almost any guest in the world and conducted the best interviews ever. Parky was one of the finest broadcasters of any era

With his laidback style and down-to-earth humour, Parkinson was an amiable but penetrating interviewer, becoming the British chatshow host against whom all others have been measured.

TV-am first hit screens in 1983 and had a host of famous faces on screen including Anne Diamond, Nick Owen, Jayne Irving, Lorraine Kelly and Mick Morris.

Volumes named after and focusing on a single year are increasingly popular – the trouble is, history just doesn't work like that

She taught ballet for many years, and said: ‘It takes us out of ourselves. It directs our attention towards the dimensions of life’

When the BBC launched breakfast TV, it expected to be crushed by rival TV-am's star power and money. But in the end there was no winner

CRAIG BROWN: These days, many under the age of 40 are similarly baffled by the idea that there was once a time when there was nothing to watch.