Michael Parkinson delighted with knighthood

Published: Saturday, 29 December 2007, 12:12PM

Michael Parkinson says he is delighted at being recognised in the New Year's Honours List.

The 72-year-old learned of his knighthood just days after presenting his last chat show for ITV and his last radio programme for BBC.

"It means pride. To be judged thus by your peers is always gratifying," he said.

But the former newspaper journalist who became a household name remained humble of his achievement.

"I don't think it carries any cache," he said.

"I don't expect people to fall down and start bowing and scraping, that would embarrass me hugely."

The ITV presenter defected from the BBC in 2004, unhappy over the decision to move Match of the Day into his slot.

"It's like having medal pinned to your chest, for long service and good conduct," he said.

Born on 28 March 1935 in Cudworth, near Barnsley, Parkinson established himself as a journalist at the Daily Express, where he was a feature writer.

Later he had a sports column in the Sunday Times.

He moved into current affairs at Granada Television, working on World in Action and What the Papers Say, as well as hosting a series on cinema.

But a switch to the BBC in 1971 saw him beginning an 11-year run of the Saturday-night chat show which would make him a household name.

He defected to ITV in 1982 to become one of the original "famous five" presenters on breakfast station TV-am.

Sir Michael's chat show was relaunched by the BBC in 1998 on Friday evenings.

However, he moved over to ITV once again in 2004, unhappy at the prospect of BBC One putting its newly-acquired Premier League football highlights in his timeslot.

Guaranteed a Saturday night slot by ITV, he continued to attract guests of the calibre of Tony Blair, who was prime minister at the time, wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough and singer George Michael.

His last chat show for ITV1 attracted an audience of 8.3 million, with guests including Billy Connolly, actress Dame Judi Dench and comedian Peter Kay.