The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Ultimate entertainer’ Des O’Connor, 88, dies in hospital after falling
Des O’Connor – an “u l t ima t e entertainer” who “shared the laughs” – has died at the age of 88, just days after he suffered a fall at his home.
The TV star, who lit up screens with shows like Today With Des And Mel and Des O’Connor Tonight, died in hospital on Saturday.
His friend and fellow comic Jimmy Tarbuck said the much-loved star, who also enjoyed a singing career, was talking about a return to the stage just before his accident.
His long-time agent and family friend Pat LakeSmith said in a statement to the PA news agency: “It is with great sorrow that I confirm that Des O’Connor passed away yesterday.
“He had been admitted to hospital just over a week ago, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire.
“He was recovering well and had been in great spirits and looking forward to going home.
“Unfortunately, yesterday evening his condition suddenly deteriorated and he drifted peacefully away in his sleep.”
O’Connor presented his own prime-time TV shows for over 45 years and he also hosted Countdown with Carol Vorderman.
He first fronted his own show in 1963 while the success of his singing career saw him sell 16 million records and spend 117 weeks in the top 10.
The four-times married star appeared on stage around the world, including hundreds of shows at the London Palladium.
He had his own US TV programme and his chat show Des O’Connor Tonight was a TV staple for a quarter of a century.
Enter tainer Tarbuck, who worked with O’Connor on stage last year, told the PA news agency: “He was a kind person. He is one of the few people in showbusiness who become national heroes.
“Cilla Black was a national hero. The Beatles are national heroes and Des O’Connor was one.”
“He was terrific. He was frail and he took it easy, but he was terrific. He had the audience cheering and was a pleasure to work with.
“He was very generous in sharing the laughs and not all comedians are like that.
“He was a giggler. You could get him giggling. It was a pleasure to get in the car and go to work, knowing I was working with Des O’Connor.”
The pair spoke just 10 days ago, he said, just before O’Connor had a fall at his home.
“I said ‘Let’s do another Pa l l a d i u m (after the pandemic), and he said ‘That appeals, that’s a great idea. I’ll see if I can do it’.”
At 72, the chat show host became a father again with his fiancee Jodie Brooke Wilson.
The couple later married, when O’Connor was 75 and Wilson was 38. He had four daughters from his three previous marriages.
Me l a n i e Sykes, who fronted Today With Des And Mel alongside O’Connor, paid tribute to him, saying it was an “education and a privilege to work with him”. She wrote on Instagram: “Des had the softest hands of anyone I ever met and the kindest of hearts.
“He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague.
“When he chose me to be his co-host on the ‘Today’ daytime show it was one the greatest days of my professional life. It was an education and a privilege to work with him for the years that followed.”
O’Connor was made a CBE in 2008 for his services to entertainment and broadcasting.