Book Des O'Connor for your event

Des O'Connor

Des O’Connor is today established as one of the world’s most popular and best loved entertainers. Since landing his first television series in the UK in 1963 he has starred in his own prime-time television show every year since then - longer than anyone anywhere in the world. Des has built a reputation as a great entertainer & TV host.

His versatility was put to great effect with his own long running chat show which started on the BBC and moved to ITV where he Interviewed some of the worlds biggest names in showbusiness. It was the show to be seen on. Des’s policy of introducing American performers to a British audience, helped establish David Letterman, Gary Shandling and Joan Rivers to a British audience early in their careers. Jay Leno played the video tape of his appearance on Des’s show to persuade the executives at NBC to give him his own show.

Des O ‘Connor was born in the East End of London and during the war was evacuated to Northampton. After National Service in the RAF he entered showbusiness. His first theatre appearances were in variety all over the country before his break in television.

He is one of only a handful of British entertainers to be acclaimed internationally on stage and television: when he was given an American series of his show (1973-74) it went out to over 40 countries and was seen by 100 million people world-wide. He also appeared on the ‘The Johnny Carson show’ and ‘Ed
Sullivan show’. On stage he has appeared at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, the Sydney Opera House, The O’Keefe Centre, Toronto and over 1000 times at the London Palladium.

Since 1967 he has been a hugely successful recording star. He had his first hit single with Careless Hands, followed by I Pretend which went to No 1. Since then his recording career has produced 34 albums with sales of over 15 million and he has spent 117 weeks in the top ten charts.

In 2001 he received the Special Recognition Award at the National TV Awards and his autobiography Bananas Can’t Fly (Headline Publishing) was published. His current album is titled A Tribute To The Crooners (Decca Records), featuring brand new recordings of the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Perry Como and Dean Martin.

During Christmas and New Year 2002/3 holiday season Des hosted a Des O’Connor Tonight ITV special and ITV also screened a celebration special to mark Des’ 40th year in prime time television.

On television, his new daily celebrity talk show with Melanie Sykes on ITV1, Today With Des And Mel, which started in 2002 has just received the RTS Programme Award for Best Daytime Programme. In May Des & Mel presented the Soap Awards for ITV and in June Des will be recording a brand new peak-time series on comedians from across the globe called Only Joking!

Des is a fantastic live performer and still makes himself available for corporate functions in between his heavy schedule.

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To discuss any bookings, please email Matthew Willetts or call 08448 000 058.