I should say at the outset that I'm not the world's biggest Piers Morgan fan. That's why I didn't rush to watch his Life Stories interview with Michael Barrymore on ITV last night. But I've just caught up with it and  have to say I was impressed. There was no toadying and gift-giving as with Donald Trump, no flirting or perving or whatever you choose to call bits of his interview with Mel B. This was hard, tough questioning. And boy, did it work.

Barrymore opened up on pretty much everything, from his friendship with Princess Diana to coming out to, most importantly, the career-ruining scandal when Stuart Lubbock was found dead in Barrymore's Essex swimming pool. While we still don't know exactly what happened on the night and on the programme there was no suggestion of any guilt whatsoever on Barrymore's part (he said he was “100 per cent innocent"), the comedian did talk frankly and tearfully: “I’m not making up excuses. I fucked up. What more do you want? I fucked up. I’m sorry. I couldn’t be more sorry.”

Morgan did what all journalists should do after asking a question. He shut up, which probably doesn't come naturally to him. But by keeping silent Barrymore kept talking. It's an interview technique that takes skill. I've been there myself and when there is a silence you desperately want to fill it but have to resist the urge and let the interviewee do the work. Barrymore filled it – when not breaking down – by speaking emotionally and from the heart.

Morgan also recently interviewed Michael Parkinson and their styles could not be more different. Parky was more conversational in a way that always winkled out the unexpected. These days interviews tend to be more controlled, with lines of questioning set out in advance on some shows (I don't know about this one). I would imagine that Barrymore could have guessed what Morgan would be talking to him about, but somehow I don't think Barrymore ever expected that he would open up quite as much. "It goes a lot deeper than I could begin to explain,” said Barrymore of the experience.

I never thought I'd say this, but I think I've learnt something about journalism from Piers Morgan.

Watch Life Stories: Michael Barrymore on catch-up here.

Picture: ITV