Legendary television broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88, his family has confirmed.

“After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family”, the statement read. “The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”

Parkinson’s career covered seven decades during which he interviewed some of the world’s biggest names on his chat show.

The first Parkinson show began in 1971 on BBC, with US jazz singer Marion Montgomery his first guest.

The programme ran for 11 years across hundreds of episodes during which Parkinson combined his geniality and journalistic background to form his trademark style.

Estimated to have interviewed over 2,000 guests over his career, including the likes of Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Elton John and Madonna.

Irish comedian Dara O'Briain said on Twitter that he “had the privilege of doing the Michael Parkinson show 3 times and it the most I ever felt like I was in “proper showbiz”. He was a consummate pro on-screen, and generous and encouraging off-screen.”

Muhammad Ali’s powerful interview with Michael Parkinson in 1971.

“How come is everything white?”

“Tarzan was the king of the jungle in Africa and he was white”.pic.twitter.com/zXfeQWsDj7

— Deirdre Heenan (@deirdreheenan) August 17, 2023

After two years in the British army, he worked as a journalist for the Manchester Guardian (now the Guardian before joining the Daily Express.

He moved into television as a current affairs presenter and reporter for both Granada and the BBC before starting his self-titled chat show.

BBC director general Tim Davie described Parkinson as "truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed".

"Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed," he added.