Journalist Melissa Hoyer recalls a life-changing evening with Michael Parkinson, in which the TV legend “made some very naughty jokes” after his death aged 88.
Melissa Hoyer has revealed how an evening interview with Michael Parkinson changed her life.
The journalist met the TV legend at the height of his career and their conversation led to dinner with Parkinson, his publicist and friends.
“I remember Parky cracking some very naughty jokes, talking about cricket and actually asking what I was doing with genuine interest,” she wrote in her column for Yahoo.
Melissa received an exclusive award that night and walked away with some tips that have boosted her own career as a journalist.
“I’m happy to say that my early bond with him has served me well throughout my career,” she said.
Melissa Hoyer (pictured) has revealed how an evening interview with Michael Parkinson changed her life
“I remember Parky cracking some very naughty jokes, talking about cricket and actually asking what I was doing with genuine interest,” she wrote in her column for Yahoo. Parkinson’s pictured
“The many things I learned from Parkinson’s – from watching him on TV and then being incredibly lucky to meet him – will stay with me forever.”
Sir Michael Parkinson died on August 16 at the age of 88.
Michael, affectionately known as “Parky” by friends and fans, passed away surrounded by his wife, Lady Mary, and their children in his Berkshire.
The down-to-earth Yorkshireman, the son of a miner, became one of Britain’s most famous names after starring in groundbreaking interviews with Muhammad Ali, John Lennon, Billy Connolly, Orson Welles and most of the world’s biggest stars in an extraordinary interview with The Five Television career spanning decades.
There were also utterly hilarious – and awkward interviews – including an attack while he was speaking to Rod Hull and Emu, as well as the irritable Meg Ryan in 20 Years, bringing more than 2,000 BBC interviews to as many as 17million households on a Saturday night were transferred.
Sir Michael Parkinson died on August 16 at the age of 88. Pictured in 2006 with Jane Fonda
In 1971, he spoke with John Lennon and Yoko Ono in one of his earliest episodes of his groundbreaking show
He said his biggest regret was never being able to interview Frank Sinatra – and recently revealed that Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh is his most impressive interviewee.
Parky presented his show Parkinson on the BBC from 1971 to 1982 and again from 1998 to 2004. He then moved to ITV, where his chat show ran from 2004 to 2007.
He was last seen in public in April. The cricket-mad journalist was frail while celebrating his friend Dickie Bird’s 90th birthday party in Headingley, Leeds.
His last television appearance was last November.
Michael, affectionately known as “Parky” by friends and fans, passed away surrounded by his wife, Lady Mary, and their children in his Berkshire. Shown at right, in April