Chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson passes away at age 88.

In 2000, Sir Michael received a CBE, and in 2008, he was knighted.

At the age of 88, seasoned broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson passed away.

His television vocation traversed seventy years, and he talked with the world's greatest stars on his long-running visit show.

Sir Elton John was among the previous visitors honoring the "Television legend", who was a "genuine symbol who drew out the absolute best" in visitors.

Sir Michael Caine concurred he "brought the best of everybody he met", while Sir David Attenborough said he "consistently believed that the interviewee should sparkle". Sir David, who was a visitor on Parkinson various times, told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: " With Michael, it was generally cordial, consistently careful, consistently clever, consistently a delight to make it happen, and I feel that came over regardless of who his interviewee was.

"He generally got his work done, he generally understood what the intriguing pieces were, and he controlled you through."

He added: " As a watcher, you knew whether Michael was posing the inquiries there would have been great inquiries, they would evoke smart responses."

Attenborough and Beckham lead recognitions for Parkinson.

"Parky's genius" 

In 2002, Stephen Fry and comedian Robin Williams made an appearance on the program.

Stephen Fry, a comedian and broadcaster, said it was "impossibly thrilling" to talk to Sir Michael.

"Parky was a genius because, in contrast to most people (and most of his guests, including me), he was always completely true to himself. On and off camera. I think the word is "authentic."

A childhood buddy and former cricket umpire named Dickie Bird told the PA news agency: "His friendship meant more to me than anything else. I would call Parky if I needed any advice. He was a huge help to me in so many ways.

There will never be another chat show presenter like Michael Parkinson, he continued. He was superior. In your lifetime, mine, or anyone else's lifetime, there will never be someone better than him.

"Truly one of a kind, an incredible broadcaster and journalist who will be hugely missed," said Tim Davie, director general of the BBC.

"Michael was the king of the chat show and he defined the format for all the presenters and shows that followed," said Davie.

According to radio host Nick Robinson of Radio 4, "He was the greatest interviewer of our age who owned Saturday night TV for year after year."

"Such very sad news that Sir Michael Parkinson passed away," singer Elaine Paige continued. I've known him for a long time, performed on his TV chat show, and gone to numerous events with him.

"A renowned interviewer who will be regarded as the greatest in his field. We won't ever see somebody like him again.