Michael Parkinson has accepted £25,000 libel damages from the Daily Mail after they published an article claiming that he had lied about  his family background to ingratiate himself with other people, and suggested that he had behaved badly towards an elderly uncle. The TV presenter is to donate the payment to charity.

Parkinson said in a statement: "As a journalist myself, I have been reluctant to take legal action against any newspaper. Where defamatory allegations have been published about me, I have always, until now, turned a blind eye." He added, however, that in this case, the tabloid had “crossed a line”.

He went on to complain about the way the Mail handled the matter. "During my nearly 60 years as a journalist, I have always believed it was standard journalistic practice, as well as a matter of common decency, for a newspaper to apologise publicly and promptly when they have made a mistake”, he said.  "In this case, it should not have taken nine months nor been so difficult for the editor to apologise promptly. Moreover, I believe that the persistent delaying tactics of the Daily Mail were both unattractive and unworthy of a national newspaper. At a time when the media is seeking greater freedom, I think it is counterproductive for a newspaper to behave in this way."

Wednesday's edition of the mail ran an apology which read: "An article of 30 May 2009 reported claims that Sir Michael had threatened to sue a relative over suggestions that the former chat show host had been insensitive to his uncle and had lied about his father in his autobiography. We accept that Sir Michael had not lied about his family or been insensitive. We apologise for any distress caused and have agreed to pay him damages and costs".