Inside Michael Parkinson's 'difficult' health battles after his death
Inside Michael Parkinson’s ‘difficult’ health battles: Veteran broadcaster battled cancer and had to learn how to walk again before his death at 88
- READ MORE: Michael Parkinson death: Latest reaction after iconic interviewer dies aged 88
Michael Parkinson overcame a series of ‘difficult’ health battles before he passed away following a brief illness at the age of 88.
The veteran broadcaster, who was fondly called ‘Parky’ by friends and fans, became one of the most famous names in Britain thanks to his seminal interviews, in an extraordinary TV career spanning five decades.
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.’
Throughout his life, Michael overcame a battle with prostate cancer, and had to learn how to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery.
He was last seen in public in April, looking frail as he celebrated his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday bash, following his last TV appearance in November.
Cancer battle
Challenges: Michael Parkinson overcame a series of ‘difficult’ health battles before he passed away following a brief illness at the age of 88
Battles: The veteran broadcaster (pictured in April) overcame a two-year battle with prostate cancer following his diagnosis in 2013
In 2013, Michael revealed he’d been diagnosed with prostate cancer following a routine health check.
At the time, he explained in an interview that it had come as a ‘great shock,’ but he was expected to make a ‘full recovery’.
He said: ‘The cancer specialist said: ‘I will assure you, you will not die of this. I am concerned about it, of course, but I am not frightened of it.’
After two years of treatment, Michael was given the all-clear in 2015, and that same year he became a patron of Yorkshire Cancer Research.
He said: ‘When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was shocked. But the doctors were very positive, and I soon had a good treatment plan in place which put me at ease.’
Spinal surgery
Struggles: In 2017, Michael learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured discs
In 2017, Michael learned to walk again after undergoing spinal surgery to correct two ruptured discs.
He told The Sunday Mirror at the time: ‘I’ve been ill for the last five years. I’ve overcome prostate cancer, but it’s been a difficult period of my life. And my spinal operation has involved a long and unpleasant recovery.
‘But in many ways what gets me through is the thought of not becoming redundant. I don’t want to be on the waste heap – and that more than anything else is the best motivation for anyone growing old.’
While Michael admitted that learning to walk again at the age of 82 was a challenge, and he still ‘wasn’t great on his feet,’ he reassured his fans there was ‘nothing wrong’ with his mind.
‘Frail’ appearance
Hard: In November 2020, iewers of Good Morning Britain were left concerned by Sir Michael’s ‘frail’ appearance following an interview about his new book
In November 2020, viewers of Good Morning Britain were left concerned by Sir Michael’s ‘frail’ appearance following an interview about his new book.
While Michael, who became a national icon during his role as presenter of the BBC show Parkinson, spoke poignantly about his father John William’s death, many viewers appeared distracted by the 85-year-old’s appearance.
Some said he appeared ‘unrecognisable’, while another commented: ‘Parky looking frail, but still sharp as a pin, big part of my TV viewing growing up, brilliant interviewer.’
Another wrote: ‘When did Parky get so old? Mind you, its a privilege denied to so many…’
Death from a ‘brief illness’
Sad: Michael’s family shared the news of his death in a statement, revealing he passed away ‘peacefully’ at home (pictured in 2017)
Michael’s family shared the news of his death in a statement, revealing he passed away ‘peacefully’ at home.
They 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.’
He is survived by his wife Lady Mary Parkinson and they lived together in Bray, Berkshire.
They had three children, Michael Jr, Nicholas and Andrew. Sir Michael, from Barnsley, and Lady Mary, from nearby Doncaster, met as young journalists and enjoyed a 64-year marriage.
Since news of his passing, tributes have poured in, with Stephen Fry and Dickie Bird among those to share their favourite memories of Michael’s career.
Parky began his journalism career reporting for his hometown paper the Barnsley Chronicle, The Guardian and then the Daily Express before moving into broadcasting, first at ITV’s Granada and then to the BBC.
All in all, Parkinson racked up 2,000 interviews over the years with some of the best-known names from all walks of life, including royalty.
After 20 years on the BBC, his last major series was as the host of two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.
The TV star, who lived in Berkshire with his wife Mary, has previously spoken about his long-running chat show.
Of his heyday – which saw him sit down one-on-one, often for a whole hour, with the likes of Orson Welles, Madonna and David and Victoria Beckham – he said: ‘I had the best of it, in terms of the guests I could choose from. The older ones and the newer ones, and also the kind of television that was being shown in those days. It was bliss.’
Of his favourites, Parkinson counted iconic footballer George Best, with whom he developed a deep friendship before his premature death aged 59, following a liver transplant.
He also counted Sir Billy Connolly among his favourite interviews, and praised the comedian as ‘a natural funny man’. His series of successful appearances on the show put Sir Billy Connolly, then a jobbing Scottish comedian and singer, on the road to worldwide fame
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