CHAT show king Sir Michael Parkinson has had to postpone an appearance in Hampshire while he recovers from a back operation.

An Evening with Sir Michael Parkinson was due to be staged at Eastleigh’s Concorde on September 12.

Parky picked the Stoneham Lane club as part of his exclusive 11 date nationwide tour but now his Concorde date has been pencilled in for February 1 of next year.

The Concorde has posted a statement on its website which reads: “Sir Michael recently had to visit hospital in order to undergo minor surgery on his back. Though unexpected this was a routine and successful operation.

“Healing time for the procedure usually takes around six to eight weeks to make a full recovery. So as advised by his doctors, Sir Michael will be taking this time to recuperate.

“In light of this Sir Michael is having to alter his schedule, meaning that his forthcoming show will be postponed and will now occur early in the new year on Thursday February 1.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and send our thanks in advance for your patience and understanding.

“If you have already bought tickets please contact reception to transfer your tickets or to obtain a full refund.”

As he recuperates Sir Michael has sent a message in which he says: “I’m sorry to have to postpone and I hope you can make the new date.

“I’ll be as good as new when you see me next. In fact I’m thinking of adding a dance routine to the show.”

The 82 year-old TV knight, who has interviewed more than 2,000 of the most important cultural figures of the 20th and 21st centuries, his taking his own life story on the road.

In conversation with his son Mike, the audience will be shown highlights from the Parkinson archive which will track his amazing journey from a pit village in Yorkshire to the top of those famous stairs.

He will relive the best moments from shows that for many defined their Saturday nights.

Watched by millions, his iconic late TV show played host to a galaxy of stars from Billy Connolly and Peter Sellers to Les Dawson and Muhammad Ali.

The Concorde, which this year celebrates its 60th anniversary and has become an international jazz mecca, is a fitting setting for the chat show host who is a lifelong jazz fan.

He has promoted the careers of jazz musicians who have become household names like Jamie Cullum.

Sir Michael discovered jazz when he was in his teens thanks to American Forces Network radio, inspiring him and a friend to play jazz records on a bandstand in his home town of Barnsley.

His distinctive Yorkshire accent became part of his star appeal and his passport to tv stardom.

During the sixties he moved into television, working on current affairs programmes for the BBC and Manchester based Granada Televsion.