Des OConnor entertainer who shared the laughs dies days after fall
15/11/2020
Des O’Connor – an “ultimate entertainer” – has died at the age of 88, just days after he suffered a fall at his home.
The TV star, who lit up screens with shows like Today With Des And Mel and Des O’Connor Tonight, died in hospital on Saturday.
His long-time agent and family friend Pat Lake-Smith said in a statement to the PA news agency: “It is with great sorrow that I confirm that Des O’Connor passed away yesterday.
“He had been admitted to hospital just over a week ago, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire.
“He was recovering well and had been in great spirits, visited by his family – in accordance with hospital lockdown regulations – and looking forward to going home.
“Unfortunately, yesterday evening his condition suddenly deteriorated and he drifted peacefully away in his sleep.”
O’Connor presented his own prime-time TV shows for over 45 years and he also hosted Countdown with Carol Vorderman.
Vorderman said O’Connor was “lively, funny, he ALWAYS wanted to entertain people”.
She tweeted: “RIP Des O’Connor. So sad this morning to hear that darling Des has passed away.
Tributes have poured in, including from Melanie Sykes, Tommy Cannon and Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth has said Des was the last of the “all-round variety entertainers”.
The writer and broadcaster, who worked with him on Countdown, told the PA news agency: “Whatever you wanted in entertainment, Des O’Connor could provide, so he was in a way the last of his kind.”
He added: “He was an old-school, all-round entertainer.
“I’m not sure there are his equivalent any more.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub
