Michael Parkinson, 88, makes a rare public appearance at Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday

Sir Michael Parkinson placed on a really dapper show as he made a uncommon public look at cricket umpire Dickie Chook’s ninetieth celebration on Wednesday.

The legendary broadcaster, 88, seemed to be in jovial spirits as he was seen laughing with visitors on the bash at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium.

He minimize a suave determine in a light-weight blue collared shirt, black trousers and a navy checkered blazer for the event.

The previous speak present host was seen socialising with visitors at his desk, whereas he was additionally reunited along with his buddy Dickie, who was celebrating his ninetieth birthday.

The retired worldwide cricket umpire appeared sensible in a vivid blue shirt and tie and a pinstripe gray blazer and matching trousers as he posed with Sir Michael.

Uncommon look: Sir Michael Parkinson placed on a really dapper show as he made a uncommon public look at cricket umpire Dickie Chook’s ninetieth celebration on Wednesday

All smiles: The previous Parkinson speak present presenter, 88, seemed to be in jovial spirits as he was seen laughing with visitors on the bash at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium

TV icon: Sir Michael is pictured in 2000 on the set of his speak present with visitor Victoria Beckham

The buddies have identified one another for a few years and had been teammates at Barnsley Cricket Membership within the Nineteen Fifties, earlier than Sir Michael’s profitable TV profession.

Sir Michael offered his programme Parkinson from 1971 to 1982 and once more from 1998 to 2007.

He additionally hosted two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013.

All in all, Parkinson has racked up 2,000 interviews through the years with among the best-known names from all walks of life, together with royalty.

In his 2022 e book My Life in Sport: Recollections, Moments and Declarations, the presenter revealed his most formidable visitor was the Duke of Edinburgh, who he suspects took a dislike to the broadcaster proper from the beginning.

‘I did have to speak to him as soon as, for a charity, and it was not successful – in any respect,’ he confessed. 

The TV star, who lives in Berkshire along with his spouse Mary, has beforehand spoken about his long-running chat present.

Of his heyday – which noticed him sit down one-on-one, usually for an entire hour, with the likes of Orson Welles, Madonna and David and Victoria Beckham – he stated: ‘I had the most effective of it, by way of the visitors I may select from…

Celebrations: The broadcaster was seen chatting with visitors at his desk on the occasion, whereas he was additionally reunited along with his buddy Dickie (pictured), who was celebrating his ninetieth birthday

Longtime buddies: The buddies have identified one another for a few years and had been teammates at Barnsley Cricket Membership within the Nineteen Fifties, earlier than Sir Michael’s profitable TV profession

‘The older ones and the newer ones, and likewise the sort of tv that was being proven in these days. It was bliss.’

Of his favourites, Parkinson nonetheless counts iconic footballer George Greatest, with whom he developed a deep friendship earlier than his untimely loss of life aged 59, following a liver transplant.

He additionally counts Sir Billy Connolly amongst his favorite interviews, and praised the comic as ‘a pure humorous man’.

His uncommon public look comes months after Sir Michael made a TV look on Good Morning Britain in November. 

He appeared on the present alongside his son Mike, 55, the place he mentioned the artwork of interviewing and reminisced on his time spent with footballer George Greatest.

Requested in regards to the artwork of the interview by hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley, Sir Michael stated: ‘It takes some doing to really be frank in an interview, to ask the questions correctly and never be delicate round sure topics. 

‘You are conscious of that because the interviewer. It is an enchanting topic. There’s a number of different issues that come into it. 

He added: ‘I take pleasure in watching interviews as nicely these days, significantly when they do not get it proper.’

Sir Michael was good mates with George and interviewed the footballer greater than a dozen instances throughout his profession.

Mike recalled taking part in soccer with the Manchester United winger as a toddler and his schoolteachers not believing him.

He stated: ‘George used to come back down and he would attempt to keep away from dad as a result of dad would attempt to lecture him. 

Icon: The 86-year-old TV star fronted Parkinson between 1971 to 2007, and two seasons of Parkinson: Masterclass on Sky Arts in 2012 and 2013, chatting to an array of main names from the world of leisure, sport and politics [pictured in 1987]

Traditional: In 1971, he spoke to John Lennon and Yoko Ono, in one in all his earliest episodes

Friends: Sir Michael nonetheless counts Sir Billy Connolly as one in all his favorite visitors, and he praised the comic as ‘a pure humorous man’ [pictured together in 1987]

The talkshow host has interviewed over 2000 folks from all walks of life all through his profession, pictured in 2006 with Jane Fonda

‘He’d run out within the backyard and play soccer with me and the 2 brothers and the sport was get the soccer off George greatest which was unattainable. 

‘I went again to major college and so they requested me what I did for the weekend and I stated, I performed soccer with George Greatest.

‘I saved repeating this declare and was given detention. I then noticed George subsequent time and stated to him, George you bought me in bother and he stated what can I do? 

‘He signed a soccer and wrote, to Sister Cross, he did play soccer with George Greatest, love George. I gave it to her subsequent day in school and I am certain she blushed.’