LONDON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - British broadcaster Michael Parkinson, best known for interviewing some of the world's biggest celebrities on his long-running eponymous chat show, has died aged 88. After moving into current affairs television in the late 1960s, he was given his own prime-time chat show 'Parkinson' by the BBC in 1971. "After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family," a family statement said. Parkinson later said he regretted getting angry with the actress. While he listed U.S. film director Orson Welles as one of his favourite guests, Parkinson also acknowledged many would simply recall the show where he was attacked by comedian Rod Hull's puppet Emu.

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Persons: Michael Parkinson, Parkinson, Muhammad Ali, Elton John, John Lennon, Michael Caine, Madonna, Michael, Tim Davie, Ali, Parkinson sparred, Nick Robinson, Mary, Sir Michael Parkinson, Helen Mirren, Meg Ryan, Mirren, Ryan, Orson Welles, Rod Hull's, Kylie MacLellan, Suban Abdulla, Kate Holton, William James, Michael Holden, Christina Fincher Organizations: BBC, National Service, ITV, U.S, Twitter, Thomson Locations: British, Yorkshire, England