[citation needed] He toured with Buddy Holly (during Holly's 1958 stay in the UK)[15] and Jason Donovan. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. He also achieved four top 10 singles, including the song I Pretend, which reached number one in 1968, and worked with stars including Frank Sinatra, Adam Faith, Liberace, the Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand, Buddy Holly and Cilla Black. I came up with a script that Des loved, in which we set up a replica lakeside scene with a stunt man, who had actually been one of the Mini drivers on the Italian Job, dressed as a look-alike Russ Abbot fisherman as in the cigar commercial. A post shared by Jodie (@jodiebrookewilson). O'Connor's long-time friend and fellow comedian Jimmy Tarbuck described him as "a nice guy" and "a giggler". "He had been admitted to hospital just over a week ago, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. It was very funny but cruel. As he was pulling an astonishing 20 million viewers then, this was a huge boost for the popularity of the Fureys, for which we were very grateful. [2] In a January 2021 interview, his widow Jodie revealed that in 2017, he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, although he thought that he had suffered from effects of it for a few years previously. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. In reality Des had a really good voice and having appeared at the London Palladium 1284 times his singing was popular - and with 38 albums he had sold 16 million albums. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Des has four older daughters from previous marriages though; Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. Boasting a 45-year career in showbiz, OConnor was one of Britains most loved entertainers, hosting shows like The Des OConnor Show, Des OConnor Tonight, Take Your Pick and Countdown. A veteran of the Royal Air Force, O'Connor began his career as an entertainer on stage, working prolifically in theatre before his big break on television. gave birth to their son, Adam Harrison Campbell, at a London hospital. "Gorgeous memories of singing Something Stupid with Des O'Connor," she tweeted. Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness tweeted in response to the "sad news". Des O'Connor once said that all he did was walk on to the stage, chat to the audience and sing a few songs. She added: "He was the master of that - he could control it beautifully.". O'Connor was married four times, describing the end of his first three relationships as casualties of his obsession with work. O'Connor died on. Des famously played for our reserve team on a few occasions just after World War Two. His agent confirmed the death in a statement to the Jewish Chronicle. Adam O'Connor. Read more: 'Ultimate entertainer' Des O'Connor dies aged 88 "Des was the ultimate entertainer. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8. . "Jodie's world is shattered, she and Adam and Des's daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine. 37 years his junior who had given birth to his son Adam when O'Connor was in his 70s. He is a self-professed horror expert, pop culture enthusiast, and Bob Saget fanatic. Whether it was Eric Morecambe ridiculing him, or Freddie Starr smashing his studio set up, Des always laughed along. He was known for hosting his own chat show, as well as Take Your Pick and Countdown - and for his friendship with Morecambe and Wise. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Although he was the star of the show, Des was always warm and welcoming, but at that stage I was only a nodding acquaintance. He also recorded a whopping 36 albums as a singer - five of which reached the UK Top 40. His friendship with comedy duo Morecambe and Wise saw him mocked for his singing ability in sketches despite a successful career which included four Top 10 hits and more than 30 albums. She wrote on Instagram: "He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. [4], In late 2011, O'Connor starred in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre. It was a formula that made him one of Britain's best-known stars, an old-fashioned showman who could turn his hand to almost anything - fronting his variety programme, hosting chat shows or presiding over the quiz Countdown. With no bad language, religion, politics or sex in his shows, he brought humour and music safely into the family home in the days when families all watched TV together. In 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, who was 37 years his junior and gave birth to their son Adam when O'Connor was 72. Des O'CONNOR Des O'Connor dead: TV legend dies aged 88 after suffering fall at home. "Unfortunately yesterday evening his condition suddenly deteriorated and he drifted peacefully away in his sleep. In 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, who was 37 years his junior and gave birth to their son Adam when O'Connor was 72. Darling Des you will be forever missed. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Des O'Connor was the most genial laid-back star that you would never know once had a Worldwide TV audience of 200 million. O'Connor died on Saturday aged 88, following a fall at his Buckinghamshire home just over a week ago. Jodies world is shattered, she and Adam and Dess daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine, said the entertainers manager in a statement. O'Connor appeared at the Glasgow Empire, MGM Grand, Las Vegas, the Opera House, Sydney, and the O'Keefe Centre, Toronto, and made more than one thousand solo appearances at the London Palladium. He was evacuated to Northampton during the Second World War, where he worked in a shoe factory and was a schoolboy and reserves player with Northampton Town. Des was best known in the UK as a chat show host and as presenter of Channel 4's 'Countdown'. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. "I grew up throughout the Dennis O'Connor years, when he was on the television all the time, on Des O'Connor Tonight and the Morecambe and Wise shows," she tells BBC. Des most recently had a son Adam at the age of 72 with his partner Jodie Brooke Wilson, who he married in 2007. Mr Versatile: Des O'Connor. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Des reportedly met the Australian singer in 1990 when they appeared in the panto together. Another part of my childhood telly viewing gone. We began filming Des strolling along singing in the typical manner of those record commercials in a romantic style but towards the end as he broke into How Deep Is Your Love and was passing the back of the pretend Russ Abbot fishing, he casually pushed the back of his chair and tipped him into the lake at Forty Hall in Enfield. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro . Read about our approach to external linking. Read about our approach to external linking. He was a long-time TV chat-show host, beginning with The Des O'Connor Show in 1963, which ran for ten years. Fellow Countdown star Susie Dent described him as a "true gent" while Call the Midwife star Stephen McGann said O'Connor "never took himself too seriously". I really got to know him in 1989 when I was asked to manage a project with him for the top label Telstar. His mother was Jewish and his father was Irish, and Des joked he was. He was born on January 12, 1932 in Stepney, east London but was evacuated to Northampton during the Second World War. Its worth remembering how brilliant he is at his own expense in these sketches., RIP Des O Connor. Desmond Bernard O'Connor CBE (12 January 1932 14 November 2020) was an English comedian, singer and television presenter. "He was a regular fixture on our TVs growing up and a gentleman whenever we met," they posted on their joint Twitter account. A daughter of the late entertainer Des O'Connor is taking legal action against the Metropolitan Police after a detective who told her she was "amazingly hot" during an investigation was allowed to . Wilson added: Des wanted people to be uplifted chatting to him, rather than thinking about his illness. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four . Source: PA. TV host, singer and beloved entertainer Des O'Connor has died aged 88. Entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88, his agent has confirmed. O'Connor died on 14 November 2020 from problems caused by a fall . Presenter Paddy McGuinness said: Such sad news. The veteran entertainer enjoyed six decades in the world of entertainment, and made a name for himself on both sides of the Atlantic. Find out more about Jodie Brooke Wilson. He later hosted the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown alongside Carol Vorderman, with the pair bowing out together in 2008, and was made a CBE for his services to entertainment and broadcasting in that year's birthday honours. Yes! Tributes have been paid following his death, with Countdown co-host Vorderman saying he was a born entertainer and it had been a "complete joy to work with him". ", Meanwhile, O'Connor's Today with Des and Mel co-host Melanie Sykes also remembered O'Connor with a touching tribute post on Instagram, writing, "He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. "It was Des O'Connor who was on all the time, every week. Des O'Connor had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease prior to his death, his wife Jodie Brooke Wilson revealed. Entertainment legend Des O'Connor unfortunately died in his sleep on November 14 th aged 88 after falling at home in Buckinghamshire earlier in the week. O'Connor presented Today With Des And Mel from 2002 to 2006. "Des famously played for our reserve team on a few occasions just after World War 2. O'Connor's agent confirmed the news, saying he died 'peacefully' in his sleep on Saturday, November 14. Having cut his teeth as a game show host on Take Your Pick in 1992, O' Connor had a year as co-host of the show, Countdown, with Carol Vorderman. He was the son of Maude (Bassett) and Harry O'Connor. London-born O'Connor presented his own prime-time TV shows for more than 45 years but also had success as a singer. Melanie., Piers Morgan tweeted: RIP Des OConnor, 88. Developed by Square1, Ronan Keating will run 100k to support cancer charity on 25th anniversary of mum's death, Two Irish cities deemed best in Europe for bookworms, Ten of the most glorious gardens the island of Ireland has to offer, Investigation launched after cars destroyed in arson attacks in County Down, The international impresario from Magherafelt Paul Charles, 'We haven't done it yet,' says Postecoglou but Celtic remain on course for treble after win over Rangers, Staff and shoppers evacuated from Derry shop as police investigate arson report. COPYRIGHT 2023. "He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague.". Adam O'Connor is known for Des O'Connor the Ultimate Entertainer (2020). From 8 May 1968 he spent 36 consecutive weeks on the U.K. singles charts with "I Pretend" (Columbia DB 8397), including a week at number 1 (24 July 1968). [citation needed]. Des wed his last wife Jodie Brooke Wilson in 2007 (Image: Press Association) Ant and Dec have paid tribute to the much-loved comedian, singer and TV host Des O'Connor. Photo: PA. In a statement his agent said he was "well loved by absolutely everybody" and "loved life". In 1977 he began hosting Des O'Connor Tonight, which started on BBC Two before moving to ITV, where it stayed until it ended in 2002. "If you are not enjoying it," he once said, "how do you expect them to.". Is climate change killing Australian wine? It began on BBC Two where it ran for five years before switching to ITV, eventually ending in 2002 after nearly 26 years on air. Later, while he was in Leeds, he invited the Welsh singer Shirley Bassey out on two dates. Des O'Connor once said that all he did was walk on to the stage, chat to the audience and sing a few songs. He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. We have estimated Des O'Connor's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. Release Calendar Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. OConnor only told immediate family including his wife, their 16-year-old son Adam and his four grown-up daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina from previous relationships about his illness. DES O'Connor has died aged 88 peacefully in his sleep days after suffering a fall at his home. Tributes today flooded in to remember the legendary TV star and former host of Countdown. David Sillito looks back at Des O'Connor's career. Des O'Connor (centre) often worked alongside comedians Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. The audience roared with laughter.". Des O'Connor's income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. Des O'Connor was appointed CEO of Ardonagh Global Partners in April 2021, a newly formed segment responsible for driving International expansion outside of UK and Europe. The entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88 - days after a fall at his home. Meanwhile, Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker labelled him as a "truly lovely man and one of the great old school entertainers". Gyles Brandreth: "I don't think you'll find anybodywho's got a thing to say against Des O'Connor". The venues they visited were (in chronological order), the Southampton Mayflower Theatre, Leeds Grand Theatre, Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Bristol Hippodrome, Bournemouth International Centre, and Milton Keynes Theatre. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. It was broadcast live, something that occasionally provided some controversial moments. By the end of the 1960s, he was one of Britain's best-known stars and was chosen as the first victim when This Is Your Life was resurrected by Thames Television in 1969. Revenge! When the show was first filmed in colour in 1970, ATV did a deal for it to be shown on network television in the US bringing O'Connor to a whole new audience. O'Connor also had four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina from his previous marriages. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. After he was demobbed, he secured a job as Redcoat with Butlin's - a role that provided the springboard for many a famous show business name - before he was signed up to appear in a variety show at Newcastle's Palace Theatre in 1953. Des and Jodie met 31 years ago in the Thames Television car park when Jodie, a 21-year-old singer songwriter from Australia, was auditioning as an assistant on his ITV game show Take Your Pick.. (Feb 6, 2020) Photo Flash: DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS Celebrates West End Opening at Savoy Theatre. [3] In 1958, when Buddy Holly toured the UK, O'Connor was the show's compre for which he was paid 100 per week.[2]. To view this content choose accept and continue. [citation needed], In May 2012, O'Connor replaced Russell Grant in the West End musical, The Wizard of Oz, at the London Palladium, as Professor Marvel, Doorman at the Emerald City, Tour Guide, and The Wizard. Des OConnor was secretly battling Parkinsons disease when he died. Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "Des O'Connor: From Butlin's to chat show king", "Book Des O'Connor Celebrities from The Mcleod Agency", "Confirmed: Des O'Connor to Star as The Wizard in THE WIZARD OF OZ from May 22; Show to Close in September", "Des O'Connor Half the things you worry about aren't going to happen", "Still Bringing Us Sunshine: Eric and Ernie's best moments", "How Des O'Connor will never forget Buddy Holly", "RPM Top 30 Adult Contemporary February 21, 1987", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Des_O%27Connor&oldid=1150162828, Between 1977 and 2002, O'Connor presented his own chat show series entitled, From 1992 to 1998 O'Connor presented the game show, In May 2012, O'Connor took part in the TV game show, In December 2012, O'Connor was invited to celebrate 100 years of the, In December 2013, O'Connor appeared in a celebrity edition of, In October 2014, O'Connor was a panellist on an episode of, In April 2017, O'Connor was on the panel of, Phyllis Gill (married 1953, divorced 1959; daughter, Gillian Vaughan (married 1960, divorced 1982; two daughters), Jay Rufer (married 1985, divorced 1990, one daughter), Jodie Brooke Wilson (married September 2007; one son), This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 17:14. She wrote on Instagram: Des had the softest hands of anyone I ever met and the kindest of hearts. 2023 BBC. Legendary entertainer and British television star Des O'Connor has passed away. Sat 21 . "We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Des O'Connor," a Twitter post on the club's page said. 10 February 2022. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Had a daughter Christina by his marriage to 3rd wife Jay Ruffler. pic.twitter.com/wMQX5nC8c1, Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 15, 2020. Whether it was Eric Morecambe ridiculing him, or Freddie Starr smashing his studio set up, Des always laughed along. The couple met on set of the game show Take Your Pick, where Jodie was a hostess on the revival version of the 60s show. The pictures were shared on social media by Des' former TV co-star Melanie Sykes, who wrote: "Thought Id share these brilliant pics of Des OConnor and his daughter Kristina taken today. . O'Connor recorded 36 albums and had four top-ten UK singles, including a number-one hit with "I Pretend", with global sales of more than sixteen million records. "He adored his family - they were everything to him. May O'Connor rest in peace as his legacy continues to live on forever. Friend and former colleague Melanie Sykes, who worked with OConnor on talk show Des and Mel, led the tributes. @ NewsFrenchTony. British TV legend Des O'Connor has died aged 88. . Northampton Town Football Club also tweeted in remembrance of O'Connor, who played for their reserve team in the 1940s. I was bemused as in my world artistes would think nothing of calling you in the middle of the night, seven days a week, for something trivial. His agent said: Des, who was 88, was so well loved by absolutely everyone. The telly legend died yesterday aged 88 a week after suffering a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. ", 'Ultimate entertainer' Des O'Connor dies aged 88, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israel prison, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Des OConnor and Morecambe and Wise were clients and I would meet him in the lift and chat, where he was always friendly and funny. Carol Vorderman, O'Connor's former on-screen colleague from his two years spent presenting the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown, said he was "a wonderful man" and "fantastic to work with". Whilst there an amusing incident occurred which reminded me just how big this unassuming star was. It was an education and a privilege to work with him for the years that followed. In 1987, because of the Irish connection and as a favour to me, he invited the Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur to be guests on his show, singing The Red Rose Caf. Alan ODuffy told me: He was a superb man and the album we made he said it was his best singing and it was indeed. He is also survived by his son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. They got married in 2007 and together they have a son called Adam. What very sad news. O'Connor appeared on stages around the world and performed hundreds of shows at the London Palladium. [3], In his childhood, he had rickets and was later badly injured in a hit-and-run car accident which meant he had to be in an iron lung for six months. He was the last of those talented all-round entertainers from a different era, who rose from treading the boards at seedy variety venues all around the country as a comedian and singer before moving into television in the early days of ITV, when the light entertainment TV shows were hugely popular on both BBC and ITV. He was also badly injured in a car accident and spent some time in an iron lung which disrupted his primary school education. 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"I had the privilege of being on his show many times and he was a wonderful, generous host, always wanting his guests to shine," said Abbot. That, and his ability to send himself up, made him a beacon in the world of TV entertainment. Desmond Bernard O'Connor was born on 12 January 1932 in Stepney, East London, the son of a Jewish cleaner and an Irish dustman. Thank you for asking me to work on that. The episode of Countdown broadcast on 16 November 2020 was dedicated to his memory. Des O'Connor is survived by his wife Jodie Brooke Wilson, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and . I do get concerned that one day hell realise his dad is older than the other fathers, but I cant do anything about that. In fact, O'Connor had four Top 10 singles, including, I Pretend, which went to No 1 in 1968 and recorded more than 30 albums, six of which were Top 40 entries. He was the one who made you laugh, made you feel safe, made you feel as though - with that twinkle that was forever in his eyes - that you never quite knew what was going to happen". It was a Monday morning and I was in the loo facing the wall when the elderly Cyril Berlin, the agent who had represented Des for years, came in and stood next to me at the adjoining urinal. Something went wrong, please try again later. She said in a . O'Connor died in hospital just over a week after being admitted having suffered a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? Sadly, when she arrived at the hospital, OConnor had already died. It was a very gradual thing. Des was born in Stepney the son of an Irish dustman, Harry OConnor, and a Jewish charlady mother. TikTok: Man makes terrifying revelation about Disney Princess face mask watch the creepy video here. I still play football with him, and for his birthday Ill be going with him to Legoland with a minibus full of his mates., Photo by Dennis James/Mirrorpix/Getty Images. A comedian, presenter, chat show host and singer, O'Connor's enjoyed an incredible career on the stage and screen that spanned more than 45 years. She told BBC News: "I grew up throughout the Des O'Connor years, when he was on the television all the time, on Des O'Connor Tonight and the Morecambe and Wise shows. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, The 17 most eye-catching looks at the Met Gala, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests. O'Connor starred in mainstream television shows in almost every year from 1963 until the 2000s, a feat that only one other television personality has achieved worldwide (U.S. game show host Bob Barker, who hosted mainstream television shows from 1956 until 2007, with 19661972 being in syndication). O'Connor was married four times, and has described the end of his first three relationships as casualties of his obsession with work. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. Desmond "Des" O'Connor (12 January 1932 - 14 November 2020) was an English comedian, singer and television presenter. In 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, who was 37 years his junior and gave birth to their son Adam when O'Connor was 72. The 88-year-old, hailed the "ultimate entertainer", died after suffering a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. Yes! In 1963, he was given his own variety show The Des O Connor Show - and also released music later in the decade including number one hit I Pretend. O'Connor and Hartley also created the hit song "My Baby Told Me She Loves Me". Our problem was that just before we were to release our album those Castella Cigar Commercials came on TV. Truly one of the nicest people in showbiz. Credit: PA "I no longer trust the police," Ms O'Connor, the. The comedian, singer and TV host died on Saturday following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire just over a week ago. Des O'Connor, who has died at the age of 88, was an . Anthony France. He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague.". RIP Des OConnor., Such sad news. "Des was the king of telly really for so many years," she told BBC Breakfast, reflecting on her TV viewing habits as a youngster. The entertainer, born in East London in 1932 to a Jewish. He dealt with it, saying, Yes Ive got it, but Ill keep taking the tablets and keep smiling. Thats what he did: took the tablets and kept smiling.. In Europe, her song I Want What Shes Got spent 10 weeks at No.1 in 2002. In the 2000s, he also hosted Today with Des and Mel and Countdown before appearing in the 2012 one-off special The One and Only Des O'Connor. [17], He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours.[18]. They spoke emotionally about how starting in June 2020 through the spring of 2021, O'Connor allegedly hosted parties for her teenage son and his friends, "facilitating and watching" their sex acts . . The club said: "We are very sorry to learn of the passing of Des O'Connor. Thanks for all the fun, Des., RIP Des OConnor, 88. Melanie Sykes, who hosted TV show Today With Des And Mel alongside O'Connor, said it was an "education and a privilege to work with him". He was a long-time TV chat-show host, beginning with The Des O'Connor Show in 1963, which ran for ten years. Des pictured with wife Jodie and their son, Adam In 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, who was 37 years his junior and gave birth to their son Adam when Des was. . He adored his family they were everything to him. A month after his death, ITV aired a tribute, titled Des O'Connor: The Ultimate Entertainer, on 13 December 2020. 22 Tributes today flooded in for Des O'Connor, pictured here with his previous co-host Mel Skyes 22 Her birthday is 31st August and she was born in 1964, making her 56. Desmond Bernard Des O'Connor, CBE (born 12 January 1932) was an English comedian, broadcaster and singer. In 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, 37 years his junior who had given birth to his son Adam when O'Connor was in his 70s. TV Shows. An almost ever-present face on UK television, he held the record for more mainstream appearances on the small screen than any other performer. [7], In October 2015, O'Connor and Jimmy Tarbuck starred in their own one-off show at the London Palladium to raise money for the new Royal Variety Charity. His friendship with comedy duo Morecambe and Wise saw him mocked for his singing ability in sketches despite a successful career which included four Top 10 hits and more than 30 albums.