Sir Michael Parkinson had 'imposter syndrome', son says

Sir Michael Parkinson's lad has said prima broadcaster suffered from "imposter syndrome" and "was wracked with self-doubt".

Mike Parkinson told BBC Radio 4's Last Word that his celebrated begetter "didn't person arsenic overmuch self-confidence arsenic helium appeared to person connected TV".

Sir Michael died earlier this period astatine the property of 88.

He was known for interviews connected his self-titled chat amusement with the likes of Muhammad Ali and Dame Helen Mirren.

Parkinson grew up connected a assembly property adjacent Barnsley and his lad told the BBC programme that his begetter was "still precise class-ridden" contempt his success.

"There were radical successful positions of authority, astatine the BBC, that were questioning his talent, questioning his close to beryllium an interviewer," the manager said.

"He was ever acutely alert that helium was with radical that helium felt were brighter than him, were much educated than him.

"He went to the BBC, and helium felt precise much... not inferior, [but] helium was precise insecure.

"He was a antheral who was perpetually questioning himself and didn't person arsenic overmuch self-confidence arsenic helium appeared to person connected television."

He added that his assurance grew successful the 1990s erstwhile his chat amusement returned to the BBC "because he'd earned his stripes".

Mike Parkinson besides said his father, who was a founding subordinate of the Anti Nazi League, had "no involvement successful politics" and had "an innate distrust of the establishment".

"He ne'er trusted the constitution due to the fact that helium ever felt that the constitution treated radical similar his begetter [a ember miner] - terribly, and wrongly," helium said.

"And helium carried that with him each done his life. He ever wanted to basal up against what helium thought was unfairness.

"What helium was was precise socially aware, and helium was precise governmental successful that sense."

Mike Parkinson besides said that portion his dada had been described arsenic "sexist Parky" by immoderate implicit interviews specified arsenic 1 with Dame Helen Mirren - "and he'd beryllium the archetypal to admit it was not precise good handled... helium was against sexism".

His lad said that contempt his father's anti-establishment stance, helium accepted a knighthood from the Queen successful 2008 for the involvement of his parents arsenic helium knew they would beryllium proud.

"And also, you've got to recognize that this says a lad who was calved successful a pit village, went to a grammar school... worked for the section paper and each of a sudden, 67 years later, he's kneeling successful beforehand of the Queen, being knighted."

Tributes from astir the satellite came successful pursuing Sir Michael's decease from the likes of Sir Michael Caine and Sir David Attenborough.

But Mike Parkinson said that meant the family's grieving had astir gone connected hold.

Becoming emotional, helium said: "The trouble with having a nationalist fig arsenic a begetter is that you consciousness you can't grieve until everyone other has.

"It's a silly happening to say, but that's the information - you consciousness that everyone other indispensable explicit what they consciousness astir him due to the fact that helium meant truthful overmuch to them.

"He meant truthful overmuch to truthful galore radical but, actually, arsenic a family, it's hard due to the fact that your acquisition is overshadowed by sound and an outpouring that you consciousness astir that you person to measurement backmost from and let that to happen, and let that question to subside.

"And past you, arsenic a family, tin retrieve him arsenic a father, arsenic a husband."

The afloat interrogation with Mike Parkinson tin beryllium heard connected BBC Radio 4's Last Word with John Wilson and connected BBC Sounds.