Des O'Connor Estate

Des sadly passed away on 14 November 2020. It was John's great pleasure and privilege to have been associated with Des for over 30 years. He was an amazing, kind and generous person — the public and the world of showbusiness has lost a wonderful and talented person, but his memory will last forever.

Des O'Connor was established as one of the world's most popular and best loved entertainers. Since landing his first television series in 1963, he starred in his own mainstream television show every year since then — longer than anyone anywhere in the world.

Career Highlights

On stage, Des performed at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, the Sydney Opera House, the O'Keefe Centre Toronto, and over 1,000 solo appearances at the London Palladium. His American series was seen by 200 million people worldwide across over 40 countries.

Since 1967 he was a hugely successful recording star. His first hit "Careless Hands" was followed by "I Pretend" which went to No. 1. His recording career produced 35 albums with sales of over 16 million and 117 weeks in the top ten charts.

His award-winning ITV1 daily celebrity talk show Today With Des & Mel more than doubled its audience since launch and won an RTS Programme Award. He went on to present Countdown on Channel 4.

Des received the Special Recognition Award at the National TV Awards in 2001 and was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in June 2008.