Arise Sir Michael Parkinson

Talk show king and man of the people, Sir Michael Parkinson has spend four decades on television and is one of the industry’s best-loved broadcasters. This fascinating new biography traces the life of the miner’s son from his childhood up through his recent retirement. After a stint in newspaper journalism, Michael turned his hand to broadcasting and was soon presenting such show was Desert Island Discs and his legendary talk show, Parkinson. His down-to-earth charm belied a nimble skill with questioning that produced some of television’s most engaging moments. Among more than 2,000 interviews, those with Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Princess Anne, and David Beckham have become legendary. Over the years, Michael has picked up countless industry accolades, won listener and viewer popularity polls, and received an honorary doctorate as well as the adoration of numerous fans. This is a complete portrait of one of the industry’s most talented men.

Charlie Burden is a journalist who has contributed to The Guardian, Time Out, and the Times.