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

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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.

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Boxer Muhammad Ali was one of Parkinson's most famous guests, and is pictured sparring with the host on his second visit in 1974
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Ali returned to the Parkinson studio in 1981
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Footballer George Best was also interviewed multiple times, and the pair became good friends
Image source, Getty Images
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Former Hollywood child star Shirley Temple was a guest in 1972
Image source, Getty Images
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Comedy legend Peter Sellers brought a ukulele for his appearance in 1974
Image source, Radio Times
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Parkinson with Morecambe and Wise in 1976
Image source, ITV/Shutterstock
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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
Image source, ITV/Shutterstock
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Sir Billy had Sir Michael and Tom Cruise in stitches during an appearance on Parkinson in 2004
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Sir David Attenborough was a guest in 2002
Image source, Ken McKay/Shutterstock
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Sir Paul McCartney brought his guitar in 2005
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David Bowie and Tom Hanks joined the host in 2002
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In 2001, Victoria Beckham let slip that her nickname for husband David was "Goldenballs"
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Comedian Peter Kay started out as Sir Michael's warm-up man, before appearing as a guest
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Sir Michael and George Clooney in 2003
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With actor Sir Michael Caine in 2004
Image source, Ken McKay/Shutterstock
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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
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Sir Michael with Victoria Wood in 2000
Image source, ITV/Shutterstock
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Will Smith got the host out of his chair
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Dame Judi Dench appeared on the show in 2002
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An up-and-coming MP named Boris Johnson was a guest in 2003

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