Michael Parkinson's interview with Sybil Ruscoe in full

Parkinson, whose new series starts on BBC One on Friday, told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sybil Ruscoe that the West Ham footballer-turned-presenter has a "careless attitude" - and does not have the "understanding" necessary to do his job properly.

He said: "How do you expect Ian to get it right? You have to have some understanding of what it takes, and ask questions and listen to answers.

"If you go into a studio equipped only by questions given to you that are all over the studio, like suicide notes on the wall, that isn't going to happen.

Ian Wright in action for West Ham

"I've been in the game long enough. I don't like his careless attitude because I enjoy being a journalist. It is like going to the editor of the newspaper and telling him: Melinda Messenger is going to do your job - and for twice as much as you earn.

"He'll tell me not to be daft. It's all about being professional in our business and knowing your job."

Model Melinda Messenger recently started a weekly late-night chat show on Channel 5 after sitting in for their flagship talk presenter, Jack Docherty.

Parkinson's show returned to the screen last year after a 16-year absence. His searching style has earned him respect - and in December he secured an exclusive interview with singer George Michael, to discuss his arrest for "lewd conduct" in a Los Angeles toilet.

Melinda Messenger: Channel 5's new chat show hostess

Wright started his show - Friday Night's All Wright - on ITV in England and Wales in November after a pilot in the London area was a hit with viewers. Recent guests have included rock veterans Paul Weller and Ian Dury, Scary Spice Mel B, tennis player Greg Rusedski and newscaster Trevor McDonald.

Parkinson added: "The currency of being a talk show host has been reduced over the years, that's for sure.

"They've experimented with talk shows involving the kind of people you wouldn't normally expect to be talk show hosts.

"But what it comes down to at the end is a talk between two people. It all went wrong with the hiring of people who, even in the most perfect of circumstances, would never be interviewers.

"They are working on the assumption that what I do for a living can be done by anybody in the street. I'm quite offended by that. And I'm quite agitated."

Both Ian Wright and LWT have declined to comment on Parkinson's remarks.