http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words.htmThe latest headlines and articles from Michael ParkinsonI know some of you have been wondering where I’ve been...http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,just-to-let-you-know_176.htmWed, 12 May 2010 10:59:00 GMTI am thrilled that the Royal Oak has won a Michelin star. It is just reward for all the hard work that everyone has put in. The cooking remains some of the best I’ve ever eaten and the front of house staff run the floor with a style worthy of the food whilst maintaining the informality of a country pub.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,michelin-star-for-the-royal-oak_173.htmFri, 29 Jan 2010 15:55:00 GMTTiger Woods is not the first nor will he be the last sporting icon to take a fall from grace, he is though arguably the biggest. Being one of the most recognisable people on the planet certainly has its advantages, but it also means that you live your life under intense media scrutiny and god help you if you get caught out doing something you shouldn’t.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,tiger-woods_172.htmMon, 07 Dec 2009 12:20:00 GMTI read that Karen Brady has delivered the latest damning assessment on England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. Brady, who was originally part of the bid team before standing down in October as part of a “streamlining process, claims that internal politics were causing disunity that could ultimately unhinge the bid. Her comments come just after the resignation from the board of Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,world-cup-2018_171.htmSun, 29 Nov 2009 16:31:00 GMTI interviewed Thierry Henry about a year before he left Arsenal for Barcelona. I found him a charming and articulate young man and I genuinely liked him. Add to this his undoubted talent and charisma on the pitch and you would seem to have the PR agents dream. So why would he be prepared to ruin his standing within the game by cheating?http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,thierry-henry_170.htmThu, 19 Nov 2009 11:26:00 GMTOne of the most depressing facts about England's mauling by South Africa in their recent Twenty20 international was that the majority of our runs were also scored by South Africans! Of our 157, 51 were scored by Jonathan Trott and 29 by Kevin Pietersen.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,english-sporting-woes_168.htmMon, 16 Nov 2009 12:26:00 GMTThe first time I came to New Zealand, 20 odd years ago, I landed in Auckland and at the airport was greeted by a Maori welcome. The people who had arranged the honour didn't tell me it was going to happen. They shoved me through a door with the warning 'Whatever happens next, don't move'. What happened was a Maori bloke about the size of a large wardrobe advancing towards me in warrior mode, as part of an ancient ritual, ending in a welcome of friendship. http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,new-zealand_167.htmWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:00 GMTPremier League is big news here in Oz. The game is catching on. It’s a pity therefore that recently much about the news has been frankly depressing. Incessant talk about the plight of Liverpool and the future of Rafa Benitez, refereeing errors, players cheating and Alex Ferguson ranting have filled many of the column inches this season.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,the-beautiful-game_166.htmWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:03:00 GMTShane Warne turned up at The Hamer Hall in Melbourne for my opening night there. Then I went to one of Shane’s charity evenings at the Casino. He persuaded 400 punters to pay one thousand Oz dollars each to play in a tournament for his charity – The Shane Warne Foundation.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,melbourne_165.htmThu, 05 Nov 2009 10:33:00 GMTAs Peter Siddle becomes the latest Australian cricketer to suffer an injury during the teams one-day series against India there are increasing calls to look into the workload of the country’s top players. It has to be said that Australia’s program has been particularly punishing this year. By the end of 2009 Australia will have played 13 tests, a record 40 one day internationals as well as the World Twenty20 championship. http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,cricket-injuries_164.htmWed, 04 Nov 2009 14:36:00 GMTEvery year on the second Tuesday of November, for about three and a half minutes Australia literally comes to a standstill. That’s because at 3pm the Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington racecourse. For Australian’s this two mile handicap is a must watch event. Not only will they be watching but they will also be betting, with several million dollars riding on the race. http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,melbourne-cup_163.htmMon, 02 Nov 2009 12:35:00 GMTIt is not often that an official at any sport has the universal trust and admiration of the players involved, but one of those men was definitely David Shepherd. The number of tributes I have read over here in Australia since the news of his death from cancer bears testament to this fact. “Shep” wasn’t a bad cricketer but he was a magnificent umpire.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,david-shepherd_162.htmThu, 29 Oct 2009 15:32:00 GMTI might be in Australia but there is no getting away from the Premier League. In fact you have more access to the live games here than back in the UK. It's because of this was able to watch Liverpool v Manchester United. Sport is a fickle business, just ask Rafa Benitez..http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,rafa-benitez_161.htmMon, 26 Oct 2009 12:08:00 GMTGeorge Cohen, the man who George Best once described as “the best full back I ever played against” is 70 today. Not only was Cohen a good defensive player but his ability as an attacking player allowed Sir Alf Ramsey to do without conventional wingers in his 1966 World Cup winning side. In fact he was the blue print for the present day full backs, the main difference being that he never forgot that his main role was as a defender.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,george-cohen_160.htmThu, 22 Oct 2009 09:53:00 GMTThe fact that Argentina have managed to scrape into the 2010 World Cup finals should not disguise the fact he has failed to get a wonderful squad of players that includes Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, to perform. Unsurprisingly his approach to coaching would seem to mirror his chaotic life, lacking in focus, hard work and responsibility. The fact that Argentina seem to train in the afternoon because he can’t get up before 3pm would seem to sum this up.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,diego-and-marcus_159.htmFri, 16 Oct 2009 14:46:00 GMTListening to the political parties over the last three weeks has been a depressing experience. It would seem that the outlook for the next few years it pretty bleak. It has left me with a feeling of the last one out turn off the light, except at the moment we can’t afford to have the light on.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,rio-2016_158.htmWed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMTSuch is the turn around in the England cricket teams fortunes that I am tempted to ask for a drugs test. They've gone from hapless chumps into potential champs in the space of just four matches.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,englands-revival_157.htmMon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTApparently Manchester United’s Gary Neville believes that Premier League players deserve every penny of their massive wages because of the amount of work they put in.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,a-footballers-worth_155.htmFri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTThe BBC are said to be in the process of looking for an older female newsreader in an attempt to counteract accusations of ageism. Personally I think this misses the point.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,older-presenters_156.htmFri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMTIt's a great shame that the controversies surrounding the time added on and the behaviour of Craig Bellamy and Gary Neville have overshadowed what was a pulsating Manchester derby at the weekend.http://www.michaelparkinson.tv/week-in-words,player-behaviour_154.htmWed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT(c) 2010, Michael Parkinson. All rights reserved.5