Michael Parkinson reignites debate over Monarchy in Australia

The Bottom Line that the time is right for the nation to stand on its own two feet. Speaking exclusively with CPA Chief Executive Alex Malley, in an interview to air this Saturday 22 March at 4.00pm on Channel Nine, Parkinson revisits the argument he first made in 2011 while visiting Australia – that positioned him firmly in support of Australia becoming independent from the monarchy. Parkinson – affectionately known as Parky – says that while Australia and Britain will always be linked, it is time for the nation to formally sever ties from the Royal Family. “If I was an Australian, a young Australian, I would be a republican, of course I would… Australia has been standing on its own two feet for too long to bother about being attached to us,” he tells Malley. Now 78 years old, Parkinson is recognised as one of Britain’s most loved talk show hosts. His show, ‘Parkinson’ was screened on ITV and BBC One for over 30 years, with the final episode going to air in 2007.  During his career he has interviewed over 2,000 celebrities. The Yorkershireman reflects on growing up a coal miner’s son and his early ambitions for fame; and reveals how he coped with dramatic personal obstacles in his career, such as the loss of his father. Recalling his time spent working on Fleet Street and at Granada Television in Manchester in the early stages of his career, Parkinson’s trademark sense of humour shines. “It was like Dodge City. It was wonderful! I love journalism, I like journalists, I like the booziness of it all, and I like the energy of it all… I like the shame of it all.  It’s lovely to work with people who actually work hard but don’t give a damn and that’s what we were like when we were younger and it was the place to be.” Parkinson discusses with Malley the diagnosis in May 2013 that he had prostate cancer, and his recovery after undergoing intensive radiation therapy. “My latest examination showed that they’re fairly confident they got rid of the cancer and now basically it’s really a means of recovering from the after effects of radiotherapy which in prostate cancer cases is awkward at times to say the least. …But I’ve been so far one of the lucky ones.” Sir Michael Parkinson in conversation with Alex Malley on The Bottom Line – airing this Saturday 22 March at 4.00pm on Channel Nine. ABOUT SIR MICHAEL PARKINSON Michael Parkinson was born 28 March, 1935 in the village of Cudworth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Parkinson began as a journalist, before moving into television in the 1960s. During his TV career, Sir Michael Parkinson interviewed more than 2,000 celebrities over four decades, ranging from Sir Paul McCartney to Muhammad Ali. Since filming the final episode of Parkinson in 2007, he has made a variety of media appearances, including a guest spot on Top Gear and he has also hosted the Parkinson: Masterclass show on Sky Arts. In 2008, the Queen knighted Parkinson at Buckingham Palace. His latest project will be as the new face of Waitrose TV, where he will interview chefs, celebrities and sport stars on the channel from Spring 2014. Michael Parkinson has been married to Lady Mary Parkinson for 50 years. They have three children, and eight grandchildren.]]>