Television Work
Des O'Connor has starred in a mainstream TV show in almost every year since 1963, a feat that only one other television personality has achieved worldwide (US game show host Bob Barker, who hosted mainstream television shows from 1956 until 2007, with 1966-1972 being in syndication). In 2001, he was presented with the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards for his contributions to television.
Notable shows hosted by Des O'Connor:
- The Des O'Connor Show (1963–1971)
- Des O'Connor Entertains (1974–76) - 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 (1992–98)
- Today with Des and Mel (2002–06) - A live afternoon chat and light entertainment show co-hosted by Melanie Sykes. On 12 May 2006, ITV announced that the show would be one of a number to be axed in a "painful, but utterly necessary" move.
- Countdown (2007–08) - On 2 January 2007, Des O'Connor took over from Des Lynam as co-presenter (with Carol Vorderman) of Channel 4's long-running quiz show Countdown. He left the show in 2008 to spend more time on theatre and entertainment-based projects; his co-host Carol Vorderman has also since left.
- The One and Only Des O'Connor (2012) - A one-off chat show that celebrated Connor's 80th birthday, with guests Paul O'Grady, Katherine Kelly, Olly Murs, Robert Lindsay, Melanie Sykes and more, on ITV.
- Des O'Connor also appeared as a guest on the Morecambe And Wise show. He was the butt of many a joke or jibe by Morecambe, being referred to as "Des - short for 'desperate'", and "Death O'Connor". One famous line, sung to the tune of 'Crazy Words - Crazy Tune' was, "Roses are red, violets are blue, Des can't sing, we know that's true !".
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