Sir Michael Parkinson’s buddy Dickie Bird has actually revealed he called the famous talk program host simply the other day to ‘say goodbye’.
It was validated today, Thursday August 17, that Sir Michael had actually passed away aged 88.
A declaration from his family said: ‘After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family.
‘The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.’
Remembering his buddy, retired cricket umpire Bird revealed he called Sir Michael simply the other day.
Calling into The Jeremy Vine Show, Bird, 90, said: ‘We spoke yesterday morning and we said our goodbyes because he hasn’t been well.
‘We said our goodbyes yesterday morning to each other, he’s been my closest friend and we’ve been good friends considering that we were school children.’
Bird went on: ‘He came to my 90th birthday which has just gone in April, he came all the way, he wasn’t well, he came all the method from Bray, where he lived simply to be with me and to pay homage on my 90th birthday.
‘I’ve lost an excellent friend, my closest friend and my dearest friend.
‘We spoke yesterday morning because we knew it was getting to the end and we said our goodbyes.’
Paying homage to Sir Michael, he went on: ‘I just remember him as my close friend. A friend who was so dear to me.
‘I had any difficulties, any problems in life, the first man I used to ring was Sir Michael Parkinson.
‘Parky was such a dear friend to me and my condolences goes out to Mary his wife and his lads.
‘He will always be in my thoughts as long as I live.’
Breaking down into tears, Bird included: ‘He was sad yesterday morning as we said our goodbyes to each other.
‘He was very sad, because we were so close.
‘There will never be another chat show host like Parkinson, he was the best.’
He concluded: ‘To me Parky was a great legend, and he lives in the thoughts of everybody as long as there is life.’
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Bird’s 90th event had actually been Sir Michael’s last public look, where they were photographed together at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium.
Several snaps handled the day revealed Sir Michael smiling throughout the celebrations, while he likewise looked as sharp as ever in a black trouser and navy sports jacket clothing combination.
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