Chat show host Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88.  

For seven decades, the broadcaster was a much loved feature of British television and he interviewed many of the world’s most famous celebrities.

"After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” a statement issued on behalf of the Parkinson family said.

"The family requests that they are given privacy and time to grieve."

Michael Parkinson in 1972.

Born on 28 March 1935 to a Yorkshire coal miner, Mr Parkinson’s father was determined his son would not follow him down the pit and put a huge amount of emphasis on self-improvement.

As a teenager, he left Yorkshire to join the British Army for his National Service; while serving in uniform, he saw action in Suez and attained the rank of Captain.

Upon his return to civvy street, he joined the Manchester Guardian as a journalist and soon afterwards married his wife, Mary Heneghan.

The couple moved to London where he began working for the Daily Express but a successful screen test for Granada saw him move into television - the medium that brought him a fame and adultation.

Over the years, he was also employed by the BBC and ITV, interviewing Hollywood stars from Helen Mirren and Madonna to Elton John.

“The nice thing about interviewing, the reason I never got bored doing it was because every single one was a different challenge,” he once said.

Michael Parkinson with his CBE at Buckingham Palace in London.

Paying tribute, BBC Director General Tim Davie described him as “the king of the chat show”.

"He interviewed the biggest stars of the 20th Century and did so in a way that enthralled the public,” Mr Davie said.

“Michael was not only brilliant at asking questions, he was also a wonderful listener."

Actress and singer Elaine Paige said he was a “legendary interviewer that will be remembered as the best of his profession".

Mr Parkinson retired from ITV in 2007 and was knighted by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 2008.

Main image: Michael Parkinson. Picture by: Alamy.com