Former chat show host and TV legend Sir Michael Parkinson has threatened to sue his hometown paper after it published extracts from a booklet criticising his father.

The small book was written by Sir Michael’s cousin Malcolm Tonge, also under a lawsuit threat, about their family history in Yorkshire after his uncle was diagnosed with cancer.

In his 2008 autobiography Sir Michael portrayed his father as a jovial, larger-than-life character – a view Mr Tonge opposes in the booklet which he distributed to family members, including the TV host.

The Barnsley Chronicle, where Sir Michael worked after leaving school, printed these views on his father which is what has caused Parky’s ire.

The Chronicle contacted Sir Michael ahead of running its story last week and was told by the broadcaster he would sue if they did.

It decided to publish anyway and the Chronicle told HTFP today that it had heard no further word from Sir Michael or his solicitors since publication.

Comments

Me (27/05/2009 12:32:28)
But, and as an ex-hack he should know this, you can’t libel the dead!