What very sad news. This article contains content provided by Twitter. "He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague.". He had to stay there for a little bit. Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 was the first woman to be appointed to the US Supreme Court. Des O'Connor Net Worth. O'Connor was married four times, and has described the end of his first three relationships as casualties of his obsession with work. Read about our approach to external linking. Legendary entertainer and British television star Des O'Connor has passed away. Entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88, his agent has confirmed. 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. "It was Des O'Connor who was on all the time, every week. 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. . Read about our approach to external linking. 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. Des is survived by wife Jodie Brooke Wilson and five children. Credit: robbie jack/Corbis via Getty Images. It's worth remembering how brilliant he is at his own expense in these sketches.". Speaking to the Daily Mail, Wilson, 51, said: Des dealt with it very privately. Due to the success of this show, they toured the country in 2016 from April to October. Des probably had three older half siblings from his father's first marriage. 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. Sat 21 . 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. The telly legend ruled the small screen for decades and is best remembered as the former host of Countdown. Ant and Dec have paid tribute to the much-loved comedian, singer and TV host Des O'Connor. Had a daughter Christina by his marriage to 3rd wife Jay Ruffler. He'd later host the followup series Des O'Connor Entertains before introducing his own chat show Des O'Connor Tonight, which O'Connor hosted between 1977 and 2002. RIP Des OConnor pic.twitter.com/ZzLarNiTm6, Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) November 15, 2020, Actor Danny Jules-John said: RIP Des OConnor. 10 days before he died, Do not sell or share my personal information. Actress Sophie Evans, who starred alongside him in The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium in 2012, tweeted that it was an "absolute pleasure" to work with the then 80-year-old, who had "a glisten in his eye and that old school hard-working mind set". He adored his family they were everything to him. Speaking about his sketches with Morecambe and Wise, comedian David Baddiel said: "RIP Des O' Connor. And if I live as long as my own father he died at 95 I should be around to see Adam get married. ", Celeb obsessed? During the war, the family moved to Northampton where he signed as a schoolboy player with Northampton Football Club although he only made the third team. I thought no more about it until getting the tube home that night at Oxford Circus where I saw the front page of the Evening Standard which had a huge headline to say Des had jumped ship to ITV from the BBC for the biggest advance in the history of television. He was the son of Maude (Bassett) and Harry O'Connor. TV STAR and entertainment legend Des O'Connor has died aged 88. at the Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, IA 50003. After the news of Des OConnors passing, fans want to know more about the wife he has sadly left behind. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. The pair performed together at the London Palladium in 2015 and toured the country the following year. It was an education and a privilege to work with him for the years that followed. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. Singer & Recording Artist (1967) Production Company Owner (2007) West End Singer (2011) Des O'Connor has starred in his own TV show for over 45 years which is longer than anyone else in the world. Jeremy Dick has been a writer and editor since 2014. 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. Jodie has only one child a 16-year-old son called Adam with Des OConnor. He adored his family they were everything to him. Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness tweeted in response to the "sad news". "He was a very generous performer - he shared the laughs.". His agent added: "He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters . He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four . Entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88, his agent has confirmed. 5. His fame soared when he was hired to host The Des O'Connor Show, which ran on ITV from 1963 to 1971. 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. Most populous nation: Should India rejoice or panic? A little more than a week ago O'Connor was taken to hospital after a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. (Apr 3, 2014) read more news. This article contains content provided by Instagram. The entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88 - days after a fall at his home. [4] He had a brother, William, and a sister, Patricia, one year his junior. We have estimated Des O'Connor's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets. His long-time agent and family friend Pat Lake-Smith described him as the "ultimate entertainer" and said he had been recovering from the fall before his condition had suddenly deteriorated. Revenge! He loved being on stage entertaining a live audience. 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. . O'Connor appeared on stages around the world and performed hundreds of shows at the London Palladium. I do get concerned that one day hell realise his dad is older than the other fathers, but I cant do anything about that. He was surprised live on the stage of the London Palladium by Eamonn Andrews in November 1969.[4]. 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. Des has been married four times. This news comes to us from BBC News. His mother was Jewish and his father was Irish, and Des joked he was. We offer our condolences to them at this difficult time. Desmond "Des" Bernard O'Connor (12 January 1932 - 14 November 2020) was an English television presenter and singer. For other inquiries, Contact Us. Gyles Brandreth: "I don't think you'll find anybodywho's got a thing to say against Des O'Connor". Telly legend Des O'Connor was seen waving to his daughter through the window as he shielded during the coronavirus outbreak. He also presented several U.K. television game shows, including Take Your Pick! O'Connor was married four times, and has described the end of his first three relationships as casualties of his obsession with work. We worked long hours but always laughed lots, not least because when it it was showtime he would always tell me I looked like robbers dog! The club said: "We are very sorry to learn of the passing of Des O'Connor. DES O'Connor's wife and children's worlds were "shattered" when the TV legend died, his agent said. "Jodie's world is shattered, she and Adam and Des's daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. 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. Des O'Connor, beloved comedian and presenter, has died at the age of 88, his agent has confirmed. Whether it was Eric Morecambe ridiculing him, or Freddie Starr smashing his studio set up, Des always laughed along. He kicked off his showbiz career appearing in variety theatres across the country, but got his big TV break in the late 1950s as a presenter for ITVs Spot The Tune. He told the Daily Mail: "Jodie wanted a baby and if Id said: 'Ive got four children, but you cant have one' that would have been selfish. "I tried every night on the stage to get him giggling by singing the wrong words to a song, and of course he'd just start laughing," Tarbuck told ITV News. "Des, who was 88, was so well loved by absolutely everyone. Des OConnor 's heartbreaking last pictures shows him waving to his daughter through a window as he shielded during the coronavirus outbreak. The telly legend died yesterday aged 88 a week after suffering a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. 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. The team produced hit songs "Let's Do It Again", "Start Singing A Song", "Yes! 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. Talkshow Host. O'Connor also had four daughters, Karin, TJ . The fact that he continued to do what he loved, by entertaining us all and keeping his humour throughout, is a reminder that whilst Parkinsons can devastate lives, it doesnt have to. 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. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. We then recorded his vocals at Livingston Studios in Wood Green. She wrote on Instagram: Des had the softest hands of anyone I ever met and the kindest of hearts. 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. 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 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). In Europe, her song I Want What Shes Got spent 10 weeks at No.1 in 2002. On 14 November 2020, O'Connor died in his sleep in hospital, aged 88, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire a week earlier. They were able to talk and wave at each other through a window and Kristina was seen wearing a T-shirt tribute to her famous father. Broadcaster Tony Blackburn said "he was a great entertainer and more importantly a very nice person", and TV presenter Gyles Brandreth described him as "the ultimate professional". 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. On stage he starred at almost every leading venue throughout the world.". There was an appearance by an obviously intoxicated Oliver Reed while, on another occasion, Liverpool comedian Stan Boardman told his risque joke about Fokkers which saw him banned from ITV. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk. Darling Des you will be forever missed. "Up to 20 million people would sit around the television and watch and laugh, and I mean laugh until they cried. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser. Before his death, the Countdown star had been "recovering well" but tragically his condition suddenly deteriorated and he died in his sleep. Cheerful and kind man. 2023 BBC. When he was told, he was very upbeat about it. Her birthday is 31st August and she was born in 1964, making her 56. sixteen million records 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. "Des famously played for our reserve team on a few occasions just after World War 2. Jodies world is shattered, she and Adam and Dess daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine. He had a fabulous international TV career, presenting his own prime-time TV shows for over 45 years. Entertainer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88, his agent has announced. His modest background and the family survival from a direct hit by a German bomb in the war predicated his approach to life and he always seemed happy and grateful for what he had got. O'Connor presented the long running game show Countdown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, from January 2007 to December 2008. Feargus O'Connor was a popular and formidable Chartist orator in the 1830's and 1840's. Flannery O'Connor was an influential author of the American South. I then was faced with following it with a serious commercial for the new Des album. He is also survived by his son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina. 2023 BBC. Video, 00:02:36Looking back on the career of Des O'Connor, 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. 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. As ever he was really friendly with the lads joking with them in the studio. The TV star, who enjoyed decades in the limelight, died in hospital on Saturday,. I do get concerned that one day hell realise his dad is older than the other fathers, but I cant do anything about that. Fans and friends of ultimate entertainer Des O'Connor have been paying tribute to the star who has died at the age of 88. Jodie said that Des thought he had it years earlier (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) O'Connor only told immediate family - including his wife, their 16-year-old son Adam and his four . Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. 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). Des famously played for our reserve team on a few occasions just after World War Two. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. 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 . 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. 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. Fittingly he was surprised on stage at the London Palladium, a venue where he performed more than 1,000 times. He remembers sitting in the hot-air balloon and looking down at his hands and seeing a tremor. He was able to return home after being treated, where his family were . Credit: PA "He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ . Few could match his popularity on television and it is incredible to remember that from 1963 to 2002 he hosted his own peak time TV show on either the BBC or ITV, followed by Today with Des and Mel from 2002 to 2006, whilst also hosting the hugely successful Countdown from 2007-2008. He was just great to work with and a consummate professional. Adam O'Connor born 2004, age 16 Her Other Children Des O'Connor CBE Bio Details Full name Desmond Bernard O'Connor Gender Male Age 88 Date of birth Tuesday 12 Jan 1932 Birth place Stepney, London, England, UK Date of death: 14 Nov 2020 Occupations Butlin's Redcoat TV Presenter RAF Writer Talkshow Host Singer & Recording Artist (1967) 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". "Des was the ultimate entertainer. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images) Embed PURCHASE A LICENSE USD ADD TO CART . Desmond Bernard Des O'Connor, CBE (born 12 January 1932) was an English comedian, broadcaster and singer. Tributes have poured in following the news that entertainer, TV presenter and singer Des O'Connor has died at the age of 88. Des was born in Stepney the son of an Irish dustman, Harry OConnor, and a Jewish charlady mother. Former glamour model Linda, 60, posted a shot of the group on Instagram, writing: "Great to see Des O'Connor @bradderswalsh @kev_orkian Joe Pascquale @toffee1968 and the gang at Bonnie Lythgoe's 70th Birthday party x.".