Des O'Connor

Des O'Connor is an entertainment legend with an illustrious career spanning over fifty years. London born, in 1932, Des started touring in variety shows in 1953 and went on to become a much-loved singer, chat show host and stage and screen star. He has released thirty-six albums with record sales of over 16 million. Des landed his first television series in 1963 and went on to star in his own mainstream TV shows for over forty-five years - longer than anyone else in the world. His television work includes Today with Des and Mel, Countdown and The One and Only Des O'Connor.

On stage, he appeared in the West End hit musical Dreamboats and Petticoats and played the Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber's reimagining of The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium. He was awarded a CBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to entertainment and broadcasting.

He has written his autobiography, and Laughter Lines, a collection of comic verse.