Des O'Connor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Born: | January 12, 1932 Stepney, London |
|---|---|
| Occupation: | Television presenter |
Desmond Bernard O'Connor (born January 12, 1932 in Stepney, London) is a British entertainer. He moved to Northampton during the Second World War and there 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.
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. He has appeared on numerous television programmes from the 1950s right through to the 2000s, and was the butt of many affectionate gibes by Morecambe and Wise concerning his singing talent - or lack of it - which he always took in good part, however, "I Pretend" reached No.1.
Des was the host of Today with Des and Mel (with Melanie Sykes). 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]
O'Connor's fiancée, Jodie Brooke Wilson (35), gave birth to their first child (and O'Connor's fifth), Adam Harrison Campbell, in September 2004.
On the 8 November 2006 Carol Vorderman announced on GMTV that O'Connor would be taking over Countdown presenting duties from Des Lynam.
[edit] Notable TV shows
- Des O'Connor Tonight (1977-2002)
- Take Your Pick (1992-1998)
- Today with Des and Mel (2002-2006)
- Countdown (From 2007)
[edit] Hit Singles (UK)
- "Careless Hands" (1967)
- "I Pretend" (1968)
- "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)
