Esteemed honour to serve as a lasting tribute to the legendary Sir Michael Parkinson

In a grand gesture that pays homage to the broadcasting great, a new plaque was recently unveiled to commemorate the legendary Sir Michael Parkinson.

The esteemed honour serves as a lasting tribute to a man whose name is synonymous with the art of conversation and who left a lasting mark on the world of entertainment.

Parkinson was renowned for his iconic chat show, where he engaged with some of the most prominent personalities on the planet.

Hailing from Cudworth, England the very place where his journey in journalism began at the Barnsley Chronicle, his rise to stardom spanned an impressive seven decades.

The Barnsley Civic Trust took charge of organising this poignant event, underlining Parkinson’s profound connection to his roots.

Pleasure to attend the unveilling of a commemorative blue plaque to honour Sir Michael Parkinson CBE at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium in Cudworth, Barnsley this morning. For a change today he was the star of the show. pic.twitter.com/62MeSQN3CO

— Kevin Osborne (@skinoverbone) October 11, 2023

The television icon’s son, Mike Parkinson, was on hand to unveil the latest honour, telling the BBC that “it would have meant an awful lot to him because he never actually forgot his roots at all.”

Mike said his father had “loving parents”, but that the community he grew up in also meant a great deal to him.

“He never felt unloved, he never felt unsafe, he was able to go to a library, to be encouraged to read, he did listen to music,” he said.

Also in attendance was cricketing icon and Parkinson’s close friend Dickie Bird who revealed that the plaque meant a lot given that he has not yet made peace with the loss of his friend.

“He was my closest friend we shared some wonderful, wonderful memories together,” Bird said.

“I shall miss him.”

Parkinson sadly passed away on Wednesday, August 16 at the age of 88.

A statement from Parkinson’s family confirmed his passing following a brief illness.

“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” the statement read.

With his trademark wit, charm, and unrivalled interviewing finesse, Parkinson cemented his place into the annals of media history in a stellar career spanning decades, his death leaving a void that can never be filled.

In a testament to the profound impact he had on the world of broadcasting and the lives he touched, a sea of tributes to Parkinson poured in from fans and fellow celebrities from all corners of the world following his passing.