Sir Michael Parkinson has a bad cold, meaning that his inimitable Yorkshire accent is even deeper than usual. More of a growl than a voice today.

Most celebrities would have cancelled this morning’s interview in favour of a hot toddy and some bed rest, but not Parky.

But then he is still an abject professional, brushing aside any concerns, immediately plunging into the reasons for his upcoming appearance in Oxford.

Not that he suffers fools gladly. At his age, “82 at last count,” he has little reason to mince his words. But his integral training means he can’t abide unprofessionalism. Journalists should be prepped, prepared, well researched and firing on all cylinders, to garner his full attention, which coming from the king of the interviewers, makes today a rather daunting task.

But then Sir Michael was brought up at the coal face of journalism, beginning in local papers before moving steadily up the ranks, from the Manchester Guardian to the Daily Express.

After National Service he switched to current affairs programmes for Granada TV, film review shows and subsequently prime time talk shows.

But now that he’s retired and on the ‘An Evening With’ circuit, he’s in Oxford to raise money for a charity close to his heart, alongside food critic Jay Rayner, choir master Gareth Malone and artist Grayson Perry, an eclectic line up to say the least.

“Afghan Connection is a noble cause and one I’m very serious about.” It has built 47 schools for over 75,000 children across the country and hopes the evening at Oxford’s New Theatre will fund another in Takhar Province.

Obviously a cause close to his heart, Sir Michael says the older he gets, the less inclined he is towards attending the endless events he’s invited to.: “You could spend every day of your life attending charity dos. But I’m looking forward to the evening New Theatre.

But then Sir Michael is already a pro on the after-dinner speaking scene, often encapsulating his love of music, in particular the Great American Songbook.

“It started on a visit to Australia when I opened at The Sydney Opera House five years ago in front of 3000 people and they seemed to like it, so I thought I’d try the same format back here in England.

“I’ve since taken the show everywhere from The Palladium to Oxford’s New Theatre with my son interviewing me, or live performances by Joe Stilgoe.

“And why not? I love music. I have an eclectic taste and I have interviewed many of the greats, from Michael Buble and Jamie Cullum to Duke Ellington and Tony Bennett. A pot pourri of musical talent singing at the end of my show.”

In his heyday on the Parkinson talk show, which ran from 1971 to 1982 and then from 1998 to 2007, he interviewed the most famous people on the planet in front of an entire nation from the comfort of their sitting rooms.

Where else could they get an insight into the reality of stars such as Bing Crosby, George Best, Robert Redford, Tina Turner, Sean Connery, Liberace, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Raquel Welch, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Miss Piggy, Tom Cruise, or Luciano Pavarotti?

He flirted with Shirley Maclaine, sparked a religious tirade in Muhammed Ali, soothed David Niven’s pre-show nerves, offended Meg Ryan, steered Richard Burton away from the booze, and was attacked by Emu aka Rod Hill until he fell off his chair, but more than anything he listened.

Parky knew everything there was to know about his subjects thanks to his obsessive research practices, which in turn allowed the stars to talk and expand, with just the odd nudge from Michael to open up in ways never seen before on TV.

He was charming, but persistent, and as a star in his own right, an accepted adversary.

“100 per cent of interviewing is about making people feel comfortable, maintaining eye contact, relaxing them, shaking their hands, letting them settle in their chairs rather than being on the edge of their seats. It’s no secret.

“If you ask them a barmy question you can see their eyes rolling in their heads and they don’t want to talk to you. But if you find out about them properly first they are much more up to doing it.

“And then you let them take you on their journey with them, whether its Robert De Niro talking about Raging Bull or having a laugh with Tom Hanks and Rod Stewart, you just have to work out the best way to approach them. I always felt sorry for the guests being made to perform in front of a studio audience of 500 people while 9-10 million watched at home, so it was my job to make them relax and enjoy themselves

“And you need to be sensible. I wouldn’t have allowed George Best on my show if he was drunk. On the other hand seeing major Hollywood stars like Ginger Rogers, James Cagney or Fred Astaire in the flesh was quite something back then. Most Hollywood stars had never been seen on TV before.

Sadly, nothing lasts forever and How does he feels about leaving the limelight? “The audience was changing, the music was changing, the game was changing and talk shows just doesn’t exist in the same format any more. While people like Graham (Norton) are doing a great job they have all gone down the comedy format of the American shows, and as a result have changed out of all recognition. It’s just different now.

“And as I was 16 when I started out on this journalism lark I’m less inclined to bust a gut these days. I don’t miss it but there’s never been a dull moment. I’ve had a wonderful time and I’m very lucky.”

And now? “When I get out on stage and find these nice audiences waiting for me it’s still thrilling. I’m still going but I know when to stop. If I survive this cold that is.”

Variety Night

New Theatre, Oxford

Wednesday

0844 8713020

atgtickets.com