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Sir Michael Parkinson's chat show guests over the years - in pictures

Sir Michael Parkinson interviewed the biggest names in acting, music and sport on his prime-time chat show, which ran from 1971.

Here is a selection of the estimated 2,000 famous guests he encountered over four decades.

BBC Muhammad Ali and Michael Parkinson on the Parkinson show on 7 December 1974BBC
Boxer Muhammad Ali was one of Parkinson's most famous guests, and is pictured sparring with the host on his second visit in 1974
BBC Michael Parkinson with his guest Muhammad Ali in 1981BBC
Ali returned to the Parkinson studio in 1981
BBC Michael Parkinson with George Best in 1975BBC
Footballer George Best was also interviewed multiple times, and the pair became good friends
Getty Images Presenter Michael Parkinson and actress Shirley Temple on the set of the television chat show 'Parkinson', June 1972.Getty Images
Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple was a guest in 1972
Getty Images Comedian Peter Sellers (left) and presenter Michael Parkinson on the BBC television chat show 'Parkinson', November 9th 1974.Getty Images
Comedy legend Peter Sellers brought a ukulele for his appearance in 1974
Radio Times Michael Parkinson with Morecambe and Wise in 1976Radio Times
Parkinson with Morecambe and Wise in 1976
ITV/Shutterstock Sir Michael Parkinson with Sir Billy Connolly on Parkinson - One to One in 1987ITV/Shutterstock
Another comedian, Sir Billy Connolly, was one of the best-loved and most frequent interviewees, pictured on Parkinson's show One to One in 1987
ITV/Shutterstock Sir Michael Parkinson with Sir Billy Connolly and Tom CruiseITV/Shutterstock
Sir Billy had Sir Michael and Tom Cruise in stitches during an appearance on Parkinson in 2004
BBC Sir Michael Parkinson with Sir David Attenborough in 2002BBC
Sir David Attenborough was a guest in 2002
Ken McKay/Shutterstock Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir Paul McCartney in 2005Ken McKay/Shutterstock
Sir Paul McCartney brought his guitar in 2005
BBC David Bowie, Michael Parkinson and Tom Hanks in 2002BBC
David Bowie and Tom Hanks joined the host in 2002
BBC Sir Michael Parkinson with Victoria and David Beckham in 2001BBC
In 2001, Victoria Beckham let slip that her nickname for husband David was "Goldenballs"
BBC Sir Michael Parkinson and Peter Kay in 2003BBC
Comedian Peter Kay started out as Sir Michael's warm-up man, before appearing as a guest
BBC Michael Parkinson and George Clooney in 2003BBC
Sir Michael and George Clooney in 2003
BBC Michael Parkinson and actor Sir Michael Caine in 2004BBC
With actor Sir Michael Caine in 2004
Ken McKay/Shutterstock Sir Michael Parkinson and Dame Helen Mirren in 2006Ken McKay/Shutterstock
Parkinson was criticised for questioning Helen Mirren about her "equipment" and "physical attributes" in 1975 - she returned 31 years later when she starred in The Queen
BBC Michael Parkinson with Victoria Wood in 2000BBC
Sir Michael with Victoria Wood in 2000
ITV/Shutterstock Sir Michael Parkinson and Will Smith dancingITV/Shutterstock
Will Smith got the host out of his chair
BBC Sir Michael Parkinson and Dame Judi Dench in 2002BBC
Dame Judi Dench appeared on the show in 2002
BBC Sir Michael Parkinson with Boris Johnson in 2003BBC
An up-and-coming MP named Boris Johnson was a guest in 2003

All photos subject to copyright.