Parky calls end to chat show

Veteran presenter Michael Parkinson has announced that the next series of his chat show will be the last, ending a 25-year run.

His self-titled ITV1 Saturday night show will conclude this autumn.

"After 25 years of doing my talk show, I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last," Parky said.

"My thanks go out to all those who have worked on the shows down the years and the viewers for their loyal support and occasional kind words."

Over the years a host of top-name celebrities have graced the couch across from the ever-smiling 72-year-old, including Tony Blair, Posh and Becks, Sir Elton John, Muhammad Ali, and Fred Astaire.

Originally starting on the BBC in 1971, his chat show enjoyed a regular audience of around ten million, but he switched to ITV1 in 2004 after his show was bumped from its timeslot by Match of the Day.

But Parky will not be calling it a day completely as he will continue hosting his Sunday BBC Radio 2 show, write his autobiography and, after a short break from telly, will start looking at other TV roles.

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