Des O’Connor was a versatile and beloved entertainer who had a long and successful career in comedy, music and television. He was born in East London on January 12, 1932, to a Jewish mother and an Irish father. He grew up in Northampton, where he had his first job as a shoe factory worker and played football for Northampton Town. He also developed a passion for singing and performing, which he pursued after joining the Royal Air Force in 1950.
He served in the RAF for three years, during which he entertained his fellow servicemen with his jokes and songs. He then became a Redcoat at Butlins holiday camp, where he honed his skills as a comedian and a singer. He also started to appear on radio and television shows, such as Workers’ Playtime and The Good Old Days. He made his stage debut in 1953 at the Palace Theatre in Newcastle, where he impressed the audience with his charm and wit.
He soon became a popular act on the variety circuit, touring with stars like Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Adam Faith and Liberace. He also recorded his first album in 1958, called I Love A Laugh, which featured humorous songs and sketches. He had his first hit single in 1960 with “Loneliness”, which reached number 12 on the UK charts. He followed it with more successful songs, such as “The Tip Of My Fingers”, “Careless Hands” and “I Pretend”. The latter was his biggest hit, reaching number one in the UK and selling over 16 million copies worldwide.
He also became a household name on television, hosting his own show from 1963 to 1973. The Des O’Connor Show was a mix of comedy, music and chat, featuring guests like the Beatles, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand and Muhammad Ali. He also starred in several sitcoms, such as Des O’Connor Entertains (1974-1976) and Des (1984-1988). He was known for his self-deprecating humour and his ability to laugh at himself, especially when he was the butt of jokes by other comedians like Morecambe and Wise.
He also ventured into game shows, presenting Take Your Pick! from 1992 to 1999. The show involved contestants answering questions and choosing between mystery boxes that could contain prizes or booby traps. He also hosted the long-running Channel 4 game show Countdown for two years from 2007 to 2008. He replaced Des Lynam as the host of the popular word and number puzzle show, which he described as “one of the great institutions of British television”.
He continued to perform live until his late eighties, touring with his one-man show An Evening With Des O’Connor in 2017. He also released his 36th album in 2018, called Just For You, which featured duets with singers like Daniel O’Donnell, Bonnie Tyler and Jools Holland. He was awarded a CBE in 2008 for his services to entertainment and broadcasting. He was married four times and had five children.
He died on November 14, 2020, at the age of 88, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. He was surrounded by his family and friends. His agent said he was “the ultimate entertainer” who “brought laughter and joy to many generations”. His fans and colleagues paid tribute to him as a “national treasure”, a “true gentleman” and a “wonderful friend”.
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