A miner’s son who dominated celebrity interviewing for a generation choked back tears as he filmed his last chat show last night. Michael Parkinson interviewed the world’s biggest acting, sporting and singing stars during his 36-year reign as the top television interviewer.

For his final show he handpicked a “wish list” of guests for a two-hour special due to be broadcast next month. As the cameras stopped rolling, Parkinson appeared visibly moved when he received a standing ovation from the studio audience. He told the crowd:

“I was told to pick a wish list and I put down these names and every single one of them is here.”

David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Edna Everage, Billy Connolly, Peter Kay and Jamie Cullum all appeared on the final show.

Kay, 34, the Phoenix Nights comedian who used to be a warm-up act on the show made “Parky”, 72, dress up as a lollipop man, telling him that he should take the job now he is going to be unemployed, while Dame Judi sang to the interviewer.

As the recording came to a close, Parkinson said: “Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people. It has always been a great joy and I shall miss it.”

As he bade farewell to the audience amid rapturous applause, Parkinson joked with his guests: “We’re all going to get pissed.”

Cullum, 28, the jazz star, sang Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone in tribute to the host. Parkinson helped the singer’s career by featuring him on his show when he was an unknown.

Sir Michael, who has been on the show more than any other actor, asked Parkinson: “You are out of work when we finish. Will you sign on?”

The star also used his slot to tell Parkinson that he did not like his voice being impersonated.

He said: “They’ve got me on birthday cards saying ’It’s your birthday today . . . not very many people know that.’

“On satellite navigation systems it’s got me saying, ‘Take the second right and you will end up right in the s**t.’

Beckham told of his disappointment at England’s football defeat and received a huge cheer from the studio audience. Dame Judi sent up Parkinson’s famously frosty interview with the actress Meg Ryan and the puppet Emu in her song.

Parkinson is giving up his Saturday night talk show after more than four decades. The two-hour special will be broadcast next month.

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