Tribute to Sir Michael Parkinson after legendary broadcaster passes away

The much-loved chat-show host has died at the age of 88, with widespread tributes being paid to the Yorkshireman, including one from ex-Reds star Alex Stepney, who said: “I enjoyed several laughs with him over the years, [a] lovely guy and a master of his craft.”

Sir Michael was also a great friend of Stepney’s former team-mate George Best, after first meeting the Northern Irishman when he arrived in England as a teenager. The United icon was a guest on Parkinson’s TV show and he wrote a book on the footballing genius. 

“I met George when he was 16, when he first came to Manchester and I knew him until the day he died,” he said. “And I can’t be even-minded about George. I mean, he was the greatest soccer player I ever saw. He was also a very good friend.

“A good friend, a loyal friend, and I loved him. Simple as that.”