Des O'Connor was awarded a CBE for services to entertainment and broadcasting by Queen Elizabeth II. Des was born in Stepney the son of an Irish dustman, Harry OConnor, and a Jewish charlady mother. Des O'Connor: From Butlin's to chat show king - BBC News British comedian and TV star Des O'Connor dies aged 88 - The National VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. Jodie Brooke Wilson is Des OConnors fourth wife, marrying in September of 2007 after 17 years of being together. We began filming Des strolling along singing in the typical manner of those record commercials in a romantic style but towards the end as he broke into How Deep Is Your Love and was passing the back of the pretend Russ Abbot fishing, he casually pushed the back of his chair and tipped him into the lake at Forty Hall in Enfield. It was a formula that made him one of Britain's best-known stars, an old-fashioned showman who could turn his hand to almost anything - fronting his variety programme, hosting chat shows or presiding over the quiz Countdown. Jodie said that Des thought he had it years earlier (Picture: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) O'Connor only told immediate family - including his wife, their 16-year-old son Adam and his four . Back in May, the presenter was seen getting a visit from his daughter Kristina who was unable to hug her dad as he stayed indoors. A month after his death, ITV aired a tribute, titled Des O'Connor: The Ultimate Entertainer, on 13 December 2020. Actress Sophie Evans, who starred alongside him in The Wizard Of Oz at the London Palladium in 2012, tweeted that it was an "absolute pleasure" to work with the then 80-year-old, who had "a glisten in his eye and that old school hard-working mind set". His prowess as a performer came to the fore during his national service with the RAF, when his commanding officer insisted he take part in a talent show. Our album Loving Feeling sold well and made the charts and I feel privileged and proud to have worked on it with Des. O'Connor was married four times, and has described the end of his first three relationships as casualties of his obsession with work. Im sure that the decision to speak publicly about Des diagnosis wasnt an easy one, but were grateful that Jodie was willing to share the familys experience with the condition. Des O'Connor: From Butlin's to chat show king, Looking back on the career of Des O'Connor. TV star Des O'Connor dies after suffering fall at home
