LATE chat show king Sir Michael Parkinson’s son has called on Barnsley residents to share stories they may remember from his formative years to help create a new documentary into his illustrious life.
Mike Parkinson, who visited the town last week to speak to members of the Cudworth History Group and Chewin’ t’Cud magazine, is in the process of making a film which delves into his father’s early life.
Although much is known about Parky’s famous TV work - in which he interviewed stars and was watched by millions of viewers - Mike is determined to delve deeper into his father’s roots.
Sir Michael, who grew up in Moorland Terrace in Cudworth, was born to parents John and Freda, educated at Snydale Road First School and then at Barnsley Grammar School afterwards.
After leaving school at 15, he did his journalism training at The South Yorkshire Times before joining the Barnsley Chronicle’s ranks and moving onto the Yorkshire Evening Post, The Guardian and the Daily Express throughout the 1960s.
He began his chat show ‘Parkinson’ on BBC1 in 1971, running until 1982 and from 1988 to 2004 on the BBC and until 2007 on ITV.
Mike told the Chronicle his dad adored his home village and urged people who may have known him as a youngster to get in touch.
“I recently visited Barnsley with a small film crew to begin the process of making a documentary film about my father,” he said.
“When he passed away in 2023, myself and my family had to accept that we would be sharing our grief with millions for whom he entered their lives through the medium of print, television and radio.
“They were grieving a very different man to the one that we were.
“We lost a husband, a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and the man that I had the privilege of working with for over 20 years.
“It is that man that I hope to celebrate in this documentary and as a first step I brought my fellow producer and the director to visit the place of his birth and begin the process of building a picture of my father as a child and a young man.
“It’s going to be a long process because I don’t want this film to be seen through the fuzzy, warm lens of his later success but to be as an accurate and honest depiction of my father - and his unlikely journey to the top of the Parkinson stairs - as is possible.
“The teams at Cudworth History Group and Chewin’ t’Cud are an invaluable resource - with their help I want to ask a favour of all those that enjoy the teams diligent and fascinating curation of all things Cudworth and beyond.
“If the Chronicle’s readers have any memories of my father when he was a child or a young man, or perhaps a photo with him in, then please get in touch.
“Thank you in advance and if, in the coming months, you see a film crew looking lost in your neighbourhood then come and say hello and give us some directions.
“Cudworth was a nurturing place for my father and he was incredibly proud of his roots.”
Parky was an accomplished club cricketer and both he and his opening partner at Barnsley Cricket Club, his great friend Dickie Bird, had trials for Yorkshire together with Geoffrey Boycott.
Dickie last spoke to his dear friend the day before he died and is taking part in the new documentary.
He added: “He meant so much to me and was my closest friend.
“We’d spend hours on the phone together.
“He was two years younger than me but we’re been friends since I was 14.
“I last saw Michael on my 90th birthday when he travelled up to Headingley from his home in Bray, Berkshire.
“I was touched he’d made such a long journey despite being in ill health.
“I miss him every day and he is absolutely loved.”
* If you have any memories which could help in the documentary, email thecud@outlook.com or cliff@hotmail.co.uk. You can also ring 07443 937906 or write to the Centre of Excellence, Robert Street, Cudworth and they will pass on your details to Mike.
