Farewell Parky: TV host fights back tears on final talk show

The 72-year-old veteran broadcaster, who has interviewed the world's biggest stars, hand-picked a "wish list" of guests for the final show.

He bade an emotional farewell to the programme that turned him into a household name, as he was given a standing ovation by the studio audience.

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Parkinson, whose memorable interviews have included Muhammad Ali, Tony Blair and of course Emu, is now planning to write his memoirs.

The final show saw David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Edna Everage, Billy Connolly, Peter Kay and Jamie Cullum as guests on two hour send-off to be broadcast next month.

Parkinson was visibly moist-eyed as he was given an emotional send off by stars and fans as the cameras stopped rolling on the last show.

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He told the crowd: "I was told to pick a wish list and I put down these names and every single one of them is here."

The presenter, who is also stepping down from his Radio 2 show, added: "Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people. It has always been a great joy and I shall miss it."

He joked that he and the rest of his guests were "going to get p*****" after the show.

His celebrity interviewees were clearly moved by the occasion, which capped a remarkably enduring chat-show career for the Barnsley born miner's son.

Billy Connolly cried out: "Dont go! Don't go!! and Dame Judi Dench appeared about to break down in tears as she sang a version of Thanks for the Memories with new lyrics dedicated to the chat show host.

Dame Judi Dench also ribbed Parkinson over his famous encounters with a violent Emu and a memorably uncooperative Meg Ryan.

Comedian Peter Kay, who used to perform as a warm-up act for the show, made Parkinson dress up as a lollipop man, claiming that it was a job worth doing now he is unemployed.

Jazz artist Jamie Cullum, who Parkinson was credited with catapulting to stardom, performed Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone.

Sir Michael Caine asked the host if he would be signing on, while David Beckham spoke about the humiliating England football defeat.

Parkinson joined ITV in 2004 after he was poached from the BBC, where he was unhappy at being shunted around the schedules to make way for Match of the Day.

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His show has become a British television institution, having gone out for 25 of the last 36 years after starting on BBC in 1971.

He has at times come in for criticism for giving his guests an easy ride. But he has always denied such claims, saying he puts them at ease so that they reveal more of themselves.

In recent years, more irreverent talk shows such as Friday Night with Jonathan Ross have threatened to overshadow the Parkinson-style interview.