Sir Michael Parkinson laid to rest at modest and 'dignified' funeral as mourners toast him with farewell drink at pub

14 September 2023, 05:52

Sir Michael Parkinson has been laid to rest in a humble ceremony
Sir Michael Parkinson has been laid to rest in a humble ceremony. Picture: Alamy

By Will Taylor

Sir Michael Parkinson was laid to rest at a modest private funeral before family and friends gave him a toast at a local pub.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mourners said their final goodbyes to the broadcasting legend in the humble funeral in Bray, near Maidenhead in Berkshire.

Some 90 relatives and pals attended the service at St Michael's Church, where a cricket cap and Barnsley FC scarf was placed on his coffin.

Music from Frank Sinatra, his favourite singer, played during the funeral.

Mourners then headed to The Hind's Head pub, which was being guarded by a pair of bouncers, for a farewell drink.

A source told The Sun it was "perfect" and "everyone was in good spirits".

"It was a very dignified send-off for a man who remained understated and classy to the end," they said.

Sir Michael passed away last month
Sir Michael passed away last month. Picture: Alamy

Sir Michael died aged 88 last month of "frailty of old age".

His son, Mike Parkinson, previously said the family wanted public grief to run its course before relatives could remember "a dad and a husband".

He was considered one of the best interviewers in the business, and he spoke with giants of culture including Muhammad Ali, John Lennon and Sir Elton John.

Read more: Sir Michael Parkinson's cause of death revealed after legendary broadcaster passed away aged 88

Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, called him "the king of the chat show" and an "incredible broadcaster and journalist".

His friend Dickie Bird, who previously broke down as he paid tribute to Sir Michael, told LBC: "We had a long chat on the phone and he said to me 'Dickie, I think I'm getting towards the end.'

Mourners gathered at the Hind's Head in Bray to celebrate Sir Michael's life
Mourners gathered at the Hind's Head in Bray to celebrate Sir Michael's life. Picture: Alamy

"And I said 'no, you've got to keep going mate'... we shed a few tears together as friends, and we said our goodbyes yesterday morning."

He added: "At least I had the conversation with him in the morning... he gave me a gift that I shall always treasure. As long as I live, I'll always treasure that."

Sir Michael married Mary in 1959 and the couple had three sons.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Former Chief Whip Simon Hart has revealed details of a call from a Tory MP who asked to be saved from a brothel.

Former Chief Whip shares desperate call from Tory MP who 'needed saving from brothel with KGB agent and CCTV'

Tesco app and website.

Tesco app and website reporting issues, leaving customers unable to do online shopping

Exclusive
A graphic depiction of Israel’s military campaign against Hamas, the two documentary makers behind the project are now facing criticism over the children featured.

BBC has 'serious questions to answer' over claims Gaza documentary features Hamas leader's son, says John Sopel

Charlotte Peet has gone missing in Brazil.

Father of Brit journalist missing in Brazil breaks silence as he reveals moment daughter's 'trail went cold'

Avoriaz is a French mountain resort

Brit skier, 23, found dead beneath French Alps cliff after 'plunging 260ft on return from night out'

Austrian police arrest teenager over 'attack at railway station'

Isis supporting boy, 14, 'who planned attack at railway station' held by Austrian police

Janice Nix, 66, was charged with manslaughter in connection with death of five-year-old Andrea Bernard in 1978

Woman, 66, appears in court charged with manslaughter of five-year-old who died after scalding bath

Davi Nunes Moreira, of Planalto, Brazil, passed away seven days after injecting a solution made from a crushed butterfly into his leg.

Boy who injected himself with crushed butterfly for 'online challenge' suffered week of agonising symptoms before death

Jack Bennett pleaded guilty to sending malicious communications to the mayor of London and the Birmingham Yardley MP

Man jailed for sending malicious messages to Sir Sadiq Khan and Jess Phillips was 'radicalised online,' Mayor tells LBC

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder over the stabbing of a 20-year-old man in Hackney.

Two men arrested on suspicion of murder after 20-year-old dies in east London stabbing

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist increase chance of 'city killer' asteroid 'the size of Big Ben' striking earth

The scene in Godstone after a sinkhole appeared on Monday night. The large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village.

Major incident declared after second sinkhole opens up on residential Surrey street

Exclusive
Sadiq Khan

'It's bonkers': Sadiq Khan hits out at Trump for 'rewarding' Putin while excluding Ukraine from peace talks

The mother of Lindsay Foreman, left, who is being detained in Iran for alleged espionage, says the charges are made up.

Mother of Brit detained in Iran during round-the-world motorbike trip says espionage charges are 'made up'

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Trump is living in a ‘disinformation space’, says Zelenskyy as he hits back at US for ‘helping’ Putin 'come out of isolation'

Examples of 'zombie knives' at a secure police location in Birmingham. Underage teenagers buying knives online remains 'a really concerning picture' for police, with illegal dealers selling weapons via social media.

Labour announces crackdown on online knife sellers as weapons 'easier for young people to buy than paracetamol'