Des O'Connor
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| Born: | January 12, 1932 (age 75) Stepney, London, England |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Singer & entertainer |
| Spouse: | Phyllis O'Connor Jay Rufer Gillian Vaughan Jodie Brooke Wilson (fiancée) |
Desmond Bernard O'Connor (born January 12, 1932) is a veteran English television personality and singer.
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[edit] Early life and career
He was born in Stepney, London, England. He was evacuated to Northampton during World War II, where he briefly played professional football for the local side Northampton Town. He also trained as a jockey, although he remained an amateur and soon gave it up to become a Butlins Redcoat. After National Service in the RAF, he entered showbusiness.
He toured with Buddy Holly and Lonnie Donegan in 1958 and made his first television appearances on Sunday Night at the London Palladium, taking over as host of the top-of-the-ratings ITV variety show in 1961.
[edit] Television work
Des O'Connor has starred in a mainstream show in every year since 1963, a feat that no other television personality in the world has achieved. In 2001, he was presented with the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards for his contribution to television. In the same year, he hosted his own "An Audience With..." programme.
Notable shows hosted by Des O'Connor:
- The Des O'Connor Show (1963-1968)
- Des O'Connor Entertains (1974-1976) - A variety show with guest stars, featuring singing, dancing and comedy sketches.
- Des O'Connor Tonight (1977-2002) - A celebrity chatshow that also featured music and comedy.
- Take Your Pick (1992-1998) - A popular gameshow. It featured a famous "Yes-No Interlude" - a qualification game lasting up to 60 seconds where the contestants had to respond to questions without saying yes or no, or nodding or shaking the head.
- Today With Des & Mel (2002-2006) - A live afternoon chat and light entertainment show co-hosted by Melanie Sykes. The chemistry between the veteran O'Connor and relative newcomer Sykes made the show immensely popular, notably with students, giving O'Connor a whole new fanbase. However, on May 12, 2006, ITV announced that the show would be one of a number to be axed in a "painful, but utterly necessary" move[1].
- Countdown (2007-present) - On January 2, 2007, Des O'Connor made his debut as host of Channel 4's long-running quiz show Countdown, taking over from Des Lynam.
[edit] Singing career
Des O'Connor has had a moderately successful and somewhat infamous career as a singer, recording 34 albums and selling over 15 million records. His singing ability has been mocked frequently, most notably by legendary British comedians Morecambe and Wise. O'Connor however has always taken criticism in good-humour, even appearing with Morecambe and Wise on their show in a sketch that mocked him.
Singles:
- "Careless Hands" (1967)
- "I Pretend" (1968) (UK #1)
- "1-2-3 O'Leary" (1968)
- "Dick-A-Dum-Dum" (King's Road) (1969)
- "Loneliness" (1969)
- "I'll Go On Hoping" (1970)
- "The Tips Of My Fingers" (1970)
- "The Skye Boat Song" (with Roger Whittaker) (1986)
[edit] Personal life
O'Connor's fiancée, Australian singer, Jodie Brooke Wilson, gave birth to their first child (and O'Connor's fifth), Adam Harrison Campbell, in September 2004. He has four grown-up daughters from three marriages, Karen, Tracy and Samantha, with Gillian Vaughan and Kristina, with Phyillis O'Connor.
| Preceded by Desmond Lynam |
Host of Countdown 2007 – present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by "Baby Come Back" by The Equals |
"I Pretend" - UK number one single July 24, 1968 |
Succeeded by "Mony Mony" by Tommy James & The Shondells |
