In an age of shallow celebrity interviews, a tribute to Michael Parkinson – master of the form

‘Michael Parkinson, as he was fond of pointing out, saw himself as a journalist rather than a presenter.’ Photograph: Suki Dhanda/The Observer

There often comes a point in the life of a celebrity interviewer when they become as famous as their subjects and switch sides. James Corden, Ellen DeGeneres, Jimmy Fallon, Jonathan Ross, Oprah: on joining the celebrity classes, all lost the ability to grill their subjects, instead treating them much as they would dinner party guests.

It never happened to Michael Parkinson, who has died aged 88 and who dominated British chatshows for 40 years. “Parky” was undoubtedly famous but, as he was fond of pointing out, he saw himself as a journalist rather than a presenter. As such, he knew his job wasn’t to ingratiate himself and become best pals with his guests. And what guests they were: Lauren Bacall, John and Yoko, Muhammad Ali, Fred Astaire, John Wayne, Orson Welles, Shirley MacLaine, Bette Midler, James Stewart, George Best, Peter Sellers.