Des O'Connor
Biography
Former Butlins redcoat, turned crooner and TV host, one of those stars who never went out of style because he was never in style in the first place, as he would have been the first to tell you. Much mocked for the lameness of his comedy and blandness of his singing (which became a running joke on the Morecambe And Wise Show), he nevertheless remained popular and continued to do his thing on proper telly well into his 70s.
He was appointed CBE in 2008, for services to entertainment and to broadcasting. He died following a fall on 14 November 2020, aged 88.
Trivia
His widow was Jodie Brooke Wilson, his hostess from the revived Take Your Pick. She gave birth, Des's fifth child overall, in September 2004. After 17 years together, they married in September 2007.
Books / Tapes
Bananas Can't Fly (autobiography) (paperback) | (tape)
The Very Best of Des O'Connor (album)