Britain's showbiz interviewer-in-chief Michael Parkinson. Photograph: Jane Bown
Muhammad Ali
Parkinson interviewed the boxer four times, the most famous in 1979 when Parkinson questioned him about his conversaion to Islam. Parky struggled as Ali ranted about his religious choices. Parkinson called him the most remarkable man he'd ever met.
Meg Ryan
Appeared in 2003 to promote In the Cut but refused to discuss anything else. She described him as a "nut".
The comedian madehis name when Parkinson interviewed him in 1975, telling a joke about a bare bum and a parked bike.
Peter Sellers
In 1974 he appeared in character as a Gestapo officer, wearing a long leather coat and helmet and telling jokes about Churchill and Hitler. Eventually the costume came off.
Parky was wrestled to the ground in 1976, and referred to him later as "that bloody bird". Billy Connolly, also appearing, threatened to break Rod Hull's arm if the bird came near him.
