Ricky Hatton paid a touching tribute to the late Michael Parkinson after being one of the chat show host's last-ever guests.
The boxing champion, 44, recalled what it was like to appear on the legendary chat show Parkinson on its final episode back in 2007. Michael interviewed the world’s biggest celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, John Lennon and Dame Helen Mirren during his time on the show. He decided to retire from the programme in 2007.
Ricky appeared on the final show and at the beginning of the interview, he handed Michael a custom-made pair of boxing shorts with 'Mike' and 'Parky' written on them. He also gave the shorts a further personalised touch by having Michael's football team Barnsley FC's emblem and colours.
Ricky appeared on the last episode of Parkinson back in 2007 (Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)Speaking on Radio X to Toby Tarrant, whose dad Chris also appeared on the final show, the former boxer shared: "When you talk about chat[show] hosts they don’t come better legendary, and I don’t think there will ever be another one. Even when I was a youngster I used to watch Parkinson because I always found stuff interesting, …whatever walk of life whether it be film or football or boxing it’s always good to find out what inspired them, what made them tick, so I always used to watch.
"Then to go on the last one in the series ever, I thought to myself, ‘I’d love to go on Parkinson but I’m not gonna make it am I?’ Then I fought Floyd Mayweather and they had me on It was incredible. To hear that he passed away, we lost one of the best." Sir Michael died earlier this month aged 88 after a short illness. The celebrated British broadcaster and journalist died eight years after receiving the all-clear following treatment for prostate cancer.
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His family confirmed the sad news in a heartbreaking statement: "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night [16 August] in the company of his family. The family requests that they are given privacy and time to grieve." Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013 and received the “all-clear” from doctors in summer 2015 following two years of treatment. Parkinson made his last TV appearance on BBC's Breakfast in November 2022 where viewers shared their concern for the much-loved broadcaster, as many said they felt he looked 'frail'. Sir Michael appeared on the BBC show to discuss his book titled, My Sporting Life: Memories, Moments, and Declarations, which he had co-written with his son, Mike.
He was last spotted publicly in May this year, just three months before his death, to celebrate the release of his autobiography. Appearing at the Hay Festival, Sir Michael was all smiles as he met fans over the course of the weekend. Prior to this, in April this year, he appeared at pal Dickie Bird's 90th birthday party at Leeds' Headingley Stadium. The TV legend was the king of chat shows and carved out a television career that spanned five decades. He was best known for presenting his talk show Parkinson from 1971 to 1983. The small-screen veteran’s show was revived in 1998 and ran until his retirement in 2007.
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