HE’S THE king of chat, but now the tables are about to be turned and it’s all because of a wooden spoon.
Saturday nights in the 70s and 90s used to be the domain of Michael Parkinson, and his chat show attracted all the greats, including Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis Jr and … well … Rod Hull and Emu.
There’s few people he’s not spoken to – but few have actually heard him speak about his life and career.
But that changes on Friday, October 26. The famous journalist will be appearing at Reading’s Concert Hall to celebrate his life and career, from a pit village in Yorkshire to the top of Television Centre.
Organisers say that it will be a unique opportunity to get an intimate, entertaining and informative look at his remarkable journey while reliving the best moments from a show that for many defined their Saturday night.
The evening will be hosted by TV and Radio Sports presenter and broadcaster John Inverdale.
He said: “It is an honour and a pleasure to be hosting this very special event. It will be a wonderful evening, celebrating an extraordinary career and amazing life, an evening you will not want to miss.”
And the event has a heart: it is being organised by the charity Wooden Spoon Chilterns to support its worth children and young people with disability and facing disadvantage in the Chilterns.
Wooden Spoon is the children’s charity of rugby, funding life-changing projects across the UK and Ireland to support children and young people with disabilities and facing disadvantage.
It funds a range of projects, which are not just rugby focused, supporting approximately 70 projects a year nationally including respite and medical treatment centres, sensory rooms, specialist playgrounds and community-based programmes.
John added: “Sometimes with charities it’s hard to see where the money goes, but Wooden Spoon is very tangible – they raise the money and you get to see the benefits.”
Tickets are £29.99 and are available from the Reading Arts box office on 0118 960 6060 or from www.readingarts.com
For more on Wooden Spoon in the Chilterns visit woodenspoon.org.uk/chilterns
