An emotional Sir Michael Parkinson has opened up on his friendship with George Best - admitting he "loved" the Northern Ireland football legend.
The former talk show host - who retired back in 2007 - first met Best when the Belfast hero arrived in Manchester at the age of 16.
It would be the start of a lifelong bond that has always held a special place in Parkinson's heart.
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The 87-year-old - who interviewed countless celebrities and sporting icons over the years including Muhammad Ali and Sir Paul McCartney - admitted he "can't talk about George without wanting to cry".
A visibly emotional Parkinson held back the tears as he looked back on the pair's friendship.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "George was my pal, and the greatest player I ever saw...by a mile.
"I can't talk about George without wanting to cry.
"We had a meeting last night with several friends of ours and George was part of our party and we were just reminiscing about the times we had with him.
"What he brought to the game and what he brought to our lives, actually."
Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star Best died in 2005 after losing his long battle with illnesses linked to alcoholism. He was 59.
Dubbed the 'Fifth Beatle' because of his mop haircut and movie-star looks, Best is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers to have ever played the beautiful game.
Born and raised in Cregagh estate in East Belfast, Best helped Manchester United win the First Division title in 1965 and 1967 and the European Cup in 1968. He was also named European Footballer of the Year that same year.
He made 466 appearances for United, scoring a total of 178 goals. Best also won 37 caps for Northern Ireland.
Parkinson tries to remember the flawed genius for his talents on the pitch, and hailed Best as the best footballer he has ever seen.
"I met George when he was 16 when he first came to Manchester and I knew him until the day he died," Parkinson added.
"And I can't be even-minded about George. I mean, he was the greatest soccer player I ever saw. He was also a very good friend.
"A good friend, a loyal friend, and I loved him. Simple as that."
Parkinson has written a new book on his career entitled 'My Sporting Life: Memories, Moments and Declarations', which he has co-written with his son, Michael Jr.
Michael Jr fondly recalls playing football with Best in their back garden when he was just a youngster.
He said: "George used to come down to the house when he was in trouble with the paparazzi. And dad used to try and get George into the study and say, 'come on George, you have to do this' and George would say, 'yeah, absolutely, I am just going to go outside'.
"So he would go outside, throw down a bag of balls and play football with me and my brothers. And the game was to try and get the ball off George Best.
"The next day I went to school, and this is a true story, and they asked 'what did you do at the weekend, children?'.
"I put my hand up and said, 'I played football with George Best' and the teacher said, 'please do not lie'.
"I said I did and they said that is absolutely disgraceful and I got detention.
"Next time George came down I told him he got me in trouble and he asked how. He asked for a football and he wrote 'to Sister (she was a nun), I did play football with Michael. Love, George Best'.
"I took it into school and she slightly blushed."
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