AFTER a glittering 36-year career spent interviewing the world's biggest acting, sporting and singing stars, the curtains are set to close on one of the most popular chat show hosts of all time.

As the cameras stopped rolling on Parkinson's final programme, recorded last week, the TV veteran appeared visibly moved as the audience rose to give him a standing ovation.

"Over the years it has been a privilege to meet some of the most intelligent and interesting people," said the man affectionately referred to as Parky.

"It has always been a great joy and I shall miss it."

The two-hour special, due to be aired next month, features a feast of famous names, hand- picked by the chat show king himself.

"I was told to pick a wish list and I put down these names and every single one of them is here."

From comedians Billy Connolly, Peter Kay and Dame Edna Everage to stars of the silver screen Sir Michael Caine and Dame Judi Dench, not to mention sporting legend David Beckham, pop sensation Jamie Cullum, and pioneering naturalist Sir David Attenborough, it was certainly a night to remember.

Phoenix Night comedian Kay, 34, who used to be a warm-up act on the show, turned up with party hats and orange squash for the 72-year-old host who he encouraged to dress up as a lollipop man, saying he'd found him a job for his retirement.

Both Dame Judi Dench and jazz star Cullum, 28, sang tributes to Parkinson.

Cullum, who was catapulted into stardom after being featured on the show as an unknown, played the classic track Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone.

Dame Judi sang a version of Thanks For The Memory, recalling Parkinson's famously frosty interview with actress Meg Ryan and another, even more famous encounter, in which he was attacked by a very aggressive Emu.

Get Carter star Sir Michael, who has been on the show more than any other actor, asked Parkinson: "You are out of work when we finish. Will you sign on?"

The star also used his slot to tell Parkinson he did not like his voice being impersonated.

He said: "They've got me on birthday cards saying: It's your birthday today... not very many people know that.'"

Beckham told of his disappointment at England's football defeat and received a huge cheer from the studio audience, while Dame Edna expressed interest in his "golden balls".

Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough revealed he hated only one animal - rats.

He told Parkinson: "The reason rats don't appeal to me is that the rat invades our living space.

"I was in India a while ago sitting on the loo and a rat appeared between my thighs."

Last but by no means least, Billy Connolly, who has been on the show more than any other guest, said of reaching his 65th birthday: "The biggest terror I have of growing old is smelling of pee."

He summed up the feelings of the nation when he arrived on stage pleading: "Don't go! Don't go!"

After a reign that's spanned nearly four decades, and more than 600 programmes, it's hardly surprising Parkinson was choking back the tears by the end of the recording.

I suspect there'll be a lack of dry eyes in houses up and down the country when the final show transmits on December 15.