HE was famously menaced by an angry Muhammed Ali and abused and assaulted by Rod Hull’s emu, and all in front of a live chat show audience.

National treasure Sir Michael Parkinson obviously has a few good tales to tell, and the good news is, he’s coming to Yeovil's Octagon Theatre this month “to offer an exclusive peek into his life and journey to stardom”.

A spokesman said: “An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson celebrates the life and career of a man who has interviewed more than 2000 of the most important cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.

“The show is a unique opportunity to get an intimate, entertaining and informative look at Sir Michael’s remarkable journey from a pit village in Yorkshire to the top of those famous stairs whilst reliving the best moments from a show that for many defined their Saturday night.”

Born in 1935, Sir Michael Parkinson CBE presented his television talk show, Parkinson, from 1971 to 1982 and from 1998 to 2007.

He has been described by The Guardian as “the great British talk show host”, and some fans might say, the greatest.

He displayed an almost unique ability to be respectful without being reverential, and to be probing in his questions, without being too intrusive.

He considered Muhammad Ali was the most remarkable man he had ever interviewed, and he interviewed him on several occasions.

The on-screen clash during one interview owed more to Ali’s ill-tempered mood, rather than Parkinson’s interview techniques.

Now it is time for “Parky” to be questioned in the chair.

Sir Michael Parkinson will be at the Octagon on Tuesday, October 23 at 7.30pm, in a Yeovil Literary Festival pre-event, sponsored by GTH.

Tickets are priced at £28.50, with a £1 booking levy, via www.octagon-theatre.co.uk, or on 01935 422884.