Legendary chat show host Michael Parkinson struggled to hide his emotions as he brought the curtain down on his showbiz career. The 72-year-old fought back tears as he was given a standing ovation at the recording of his final chat show, due to air on December 15. "Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people," he said towards the end of the recording. "It has always been a great joy and I shall miss it." The two-hour special features a "wish list" of guests, including David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Dame Judi Dench, Billy Connolly, Dame Edna Everage, Peter Kay and jazz musician Jamie Cullum. "I was told to pick a wish list and I put down these names," Parkinson said, "and every single one of them is here." Highlights of the show include Dame Judi singing to Parkinson, while comedian Peter Kay - who used to be a warm-up man on the show - made him dress up as a lollipop man, suggesting he should take the job now he was "unemployed".
