Parkinson quits ITV chatshow

Michael Parkinson is to quit after the next series of his ITV chatshow in order to write his autobiography and try new television projects for the broadcaster.
The veteran talkshow host has revealed that the next run of the series, which is made by ITV Productions, will be his last. It will come as a blow for ITV as Parkinson's show is a ratings banker for the network on Saturday nights.

The final series is due to air for 12 weeks this autumn.

Parkinson said: "After three enjoyable and productive years at ITV, and after 25 years of doing my talk show I have decided that this forthcoming series will be my last.

"I'm going to take next year off to write my autobiography and consider other television projects. 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."

ITV poached Parkinson in 2004 from the BBC, where he was a key talent since the 70s. Over the years he has interviewed stars such as Muhammed Ali, Fred Astaire and Richard Burton.

Paul Jackson, director of entertainment and comedy, said: "As someone who worked with Michael in a very junior role in the 1970s and was involved in bringing him back to prime-time television in the 1990s, I have been delighted to work with him once again in these last three years at ITV.

"He has defined the talk show in British television and no-one has come near to equalling his record. His name is synonymous throughout the English speaking world as a benchmark for integrity and quality in the talk show genre."

Parkinson executive producer Mark Wells added: "Truly, this is the end of an era. Michael Parkinson is one of the giants of broadcasting, his skills as a talk show host are quite simply the best in the world. The show has been a part of the British Saturday night for so long, it's hard to imagine life without it."

Source: Broadcast Now