Parky returns to the radio - online (From Gazette Series)

Parky returns to the radio - online

3:31pm Friday 31st October 2008 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2011

Sir Michael Parkinson is making a return to radio - with an online show.

The veteran chat show host retired from his Radio 2 slot in December last year.

He has announced a series of weekly radio shows on cyberspace, beginning this Sunday.

Sir Michael, 73, said: "I am delighted to be returning to the radio arena."

A pilot begins this weekend on Sir Michael's own website, with a weekly series launching soon afterwards.

The hour-long Sunday programme coincides with the release of Sir Michael's new compilation album, which features the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dionne Warwick.

Sir Michael filmed his last chat show in December last year with a "wish list" of guests.

David Beckham, Sir Michael Caine, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Edna Everage, Billy Connolly, Peter Kay and Jamie Cullum appeared on the final show, which ended his 36-year career as a television interviewer.