One might be looking at the sky and asking ‘How many more will 2020 take?’, but the real question is, ‘Why not just notice, honor the fallen, and move on?’. Rude as that might sound, it’s quite a bit more mature and forward-thinking when it comes to any celebrity, and it does feel as though Des O’Connor would agree, as the British star, who passed away recently, was known for many things, his sense of humor being one of the most prominent. But he might have also gone with the practical approach that a lot of people aren’t thinking of
Remembering Des O’Connor: British Star Died at 88...
Remembering Des O’Connor: British Star Died at 88...
- 11/18/2020
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Gold has ordered a new biography series about comedians - with a difference.
The Interviews - a six part series - will focus on a different star in each episode by using their appearances on British chat shows.
Kenneth Williams, The Two Ronnies, Les Dawson, Oliver Reed, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore will each feature in an instalment of The Interviews, with Dawn French providing a voiceover for the series.
As well as using footage with interviewers such as Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Melvyn Bragg, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Michael Aspel, Des O'Connor and Mavis Nicholson, the series will use clips from personal documentary interviews and radio specials.
Gold's commissioning editor Iain Coyle described the series as a "compelling show that perfectly captures the personalities of our comedy legends".
"The Interviews is a unique way of doing biography through chat show appearances, as the guests' stories are told straight from the horse's mouth,...
The Interviews - a six part series - will focus on a different star in each episode by using their appearances on British chat shows.
Kenneth Williams, The Two Ronnies, Les Dawson, Oliver Reed, Spike Milligan, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore will each feature in an instalment of The Interviews, with Dawn French providing a voiceover for the series.
As well as using footage with interviewers such as Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Melvyn Bragg, Jonathan Ross, Graham Norton, Michael Aspel, Des O'Connor and Mavis Nicholson, the series will use clips from personal documentary interviews and radio specials.
Gold's commissioning editor Iain Coyle described the series as a "compelling show that perfectly captures the personalities of our comedy legends".
"The Interviews is a unique way of doing biography through chat show appearances, as the guests' stories are told straight from the horse's mouth,...
- 4/1/2015
- Digital Spy
Countdown celebrates its 6,000th show today (September 5) by receiving an award from Guinness World Records.
The Channel 4 programme has aired the most series for a TV game show, and is awarded the prize from an official Guinness World Records adjudicator.
Countdown was the first ever show broadcast on Channel 4 when it launched in November 1982, and has gone on to air 70 series.
Presenter Nick Hewer said: "It is a huge honour to front Countdown, now recognised by Guinness World Records for its longevity.
"Having 32 years under its belt, I am only a novice, coming up to three years on the show. But, I and the whole team, am incredibly proud to be part of such a durable and intelligent format that relies on intellect rather than prize money."
Rachel Riley added: "I'm proud to be part of such a great show that not only has its place in British psyche...
The Channel 4 programme has aired the most series for a TV game show, and is awarded the prize from an official Guinness World Records adjudicator.
Countdown was the first ever show broadcast on Channel 4 when it launched in November 1982, and has gone on to air 70 series.
Presenter Nick Hewer said: "It is a huge honour to front Countdown, now recognised by Guinness World Records for its longevity.
"Having 32 years under its belt, I am only a novice, coming up to three years on the show. But, I and the whole team, am incredibly proud to be part of such a durable and intelligent format that relies on intellect rather than prize money."
Rachel Riley added: "I'm proud to be part of such a great show that not only has its place in British psyche...
- 9/5/2014
- Digital Spy
The celebrity panellists for Keith Lemon's Through The Keyhole have been revealed.
Jonathan Ross, Fearne Cotton, Alan Carr and Joey Essex will all appear in the upcoming series, alongside Christine Bleakley, Louis Walsh, Jimmy Carr, Myleene Klass and Des O'Connor.
Carol Vorderman, Warwick Davies, Gabby Logan and Kym Marsh will also act as panellists on the ITV show.
The gameshow will see Lemon searching through the houses of global celebrities, with the panel having to guess who the house belongs to.
Lemon said: "This series is ace - 24 houses, 23¾ ovens, 16 Buddhas, 8 episodes, 3 countries and 2 police escorts! We've got fantastic panellists, telly icons and idols, and amazing houses from America, to France to ...er, Macclesfield."
Consisting of eight episodes, Through the Keyhole makes its ITV debut on Saturday, August 30 at 9.25pm.
Watch a trailer for Through the Keyhole series one below:...
Jonathan Ross, Fearne Cotton, Alan Carr and Joey Essex will all appear in the upcoming series, alongside Christine Bleakley, Louis Walsh, Jimmy Carr, Myleene Klass and Des O'Connor.
Carol Vorderman, Warwick Davies, Gabby Logan and Kym Marsh will also act as panellists on the ITV show.
The gameshow will see Lemon searching through the houses of global celebrities, with the panel having to guess who the house belongs to.
Lemon said: "This series is ace - 24 houses, 23¾ ovens, 16 Buddhas, 8 episodes, 3 countries and 2 police escorts! We've got fantastic panellists, telly icons and idols, and amazing houses from America, to France to ...er, Macclesfield."
Consisting of eight episodes, Through the Keyhole makes its ITV debut on Saturday, August 30 at 9.25pm.
Watch a trailer for Through the Keyhole series one below:...
- 8/25/2014
- Digital Spy
ITV has unveiled highlights of the official listings for its Christmas and New Year schedules.
Downton Abbey, Birds of a Feather and the return of Benidorm are among the shows which now have transmission times.
On Saturday, December 21, ITV will kick off the Christmas week with Let's Do Christmas... with Gino & Mel at 12.30pm, while the evening will see Russell Grant, Liz McClarnon, Sherrie Hewson and Des O'Connor battling it out on The Chase Celebrity Special at 5.30pm. Elsewhere, Stephen Mulhern will host six of the world's top magicians as they perform for a star-studded crowd at the Hammersmith Apollo in The Illusionists, airing at 9.10pm.
Sunday, December 22 will see Coronation Street at 7pm, while Andrew Lloyd Webber will explore the Profumo sex scandal in Sex, Lies and a Very British Scapegoat at 10.30pm.
Emmerdale and Coronation Street will air on 7pm and 7.30pm on Monday, December 23, followed by Tales...
Downton Abbey, Birds of a Feather and the return of Benidorm are among the shows which now have transmission times.
On Saturday, December 21, ITV will kick off the Christmas week with Let's Do Christmas... with Gino & Mel at 12.30pm, while the evening will see Russell Grant, Liz McClarnon, Sherrie Hewson and Des O'Connor battling it out on The Chase Celebrity Special at 5.30pm. Elsewhere, Stephen Mulhern will host six of the world's top magicians as they perform for a star-studded crowd at the Hammersmith Apollo in The Illusionists, airing at 9.10pm.
Sunday, December 22 will see Coronation Street at 7pm, while Andrew Lloyd Webber will explore the Profumo sex scandal in Sex, Lies and a Very British Scapegoat at 10.30pm.
Emmerdale and Coronation Street will air on 7pm and 7.30pm on Monday, December 23, followed by Tales...
- 12/3/2013
- Digital Spy
Not since the days of Jedward, Olly Murs and Rikki Loney (?!) has X Factor treated us to a Big Band Week. It's a chance for the acts to show off their most powerful vocal performances and knock out some good old fashioned Rat Pack classics. Or at least that's the plan anyway.
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
- 11/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Not since the days of Jedward, Olly Murs and Rikki Loney (?!) has X Factor treated us to a Big Band Week. It's a chance for the acts to show off their most powerful vocal performances and knock out some good old fashioned Rat Pack classics. Or at least that's the plan anyway.
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
Can Sam Callahan finally win over Gary Barlow? How old is Nicholas McDonald? (16!!) And will Nicole Scherzinger be as 'excited' as she was on last week's Live Show? These are all questions we hope will be answered this evening.
Join us from 8pm when it all kicks off again on ITV.
21:32See you tomorrow at 8pm. Celine Dion and Robbie Williams are the special guests. Thanks for all the comments, as always. We love them all. Good and bad.
21:30That's all for tonight folks. There's no Flash Vote tonight. You'll have to wait 24 hours to find...
- 11/9/2013
- Digital Spy
Following a staggering 1,200 solo appearances at the London Palladium, Des O'Connor is set to star at the world renowned venue for the very first time in a stage musical. He takes over the iconic role of The Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber's reimagining of The Wizard Of Oz, presented by Bill Kenwright and The Really Useful Group, from tonight, 22 May to the show's final season, booking through 2 September.
- 5/22/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Beloved British TV personality Des O'Connor has signed on to play The Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard Of Oz stageshow.
The octogenarian will take on the magic role at the London Palladium from 22 May. The show will mark his debut in a stage musical.
O'Connor was awarded the Cbe (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 for his services to Entertainment and Broadcasting and is regarded as one of Britain's best-loved TV veterans.
The octogenarian will take on the magic role at the London Palladium from 22 May. The show will mark his debut in a stage musical.
O'Connor was awarded the Cbe (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2008 for his services to Entertainment and Broadcasting and is regarded as one of Britain's best-loved TV veterans.
- 5/9/2012
- WENN
Following a staggering 1,200 solo appearances at the London Palladium, Des O'Connor is set to star at the world renowned venue for the very first time in a stage musical. He will take over the iconic role of The Wizard in Andrew Lloyd Webber's reimagining of The Wizard Of Oz, presented by Bill Kenwright and The Really Useful Group, from Tuesday 22 May to the show's final season on 28 October.
- 5/9/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Alexander Armstrong has revealed that he felt pressured into turning down the Countdown hosting role by ex-bbc controller Jay Hunt. The Pointless presenter was considering joining the Channel 4 gameshow in 2008 as a replacement for Des O'Connor, but changed his mind after the executive's angry reaction to the move. "She hit the roof when she heard that it was in the offing," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "You have to be very careful about those sorts of things. You think you're a free agent but you're not. "I knew she was somebody who held power over a lot of key decisions on things I held dear and that if I did it, it would really p*ss her off. The ball was in my court, but I could sense that it mightn't be the best idea in the world." Armstrong added that he was planning to (more)...
- 4/11/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor has hit back at criticism of his decision to have a baby late in life. The entertainer became a father for the fifth time in 2004, when his fourth wife Jodie Brooke Wilson gave birth to their first child. Speaking to Hello magazine, the 80-year-old dismissed suggestions that it had been "selfish" of him to have another baby. O'Connor explained: "I want to be with him for as long as I can, and that's another reason to keep myself in good shape. I don't have a strict health regime but I do think you have to take care of yourself. I've never drunk heavily but I drink even less now. "I exercise but nothing too strenuous. I try to keep myself in good nick." However, O'Connor admitted (more)...
- 3/26/2012
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor will be honoured in a television special to mark his 80th birthday. The legendary presenter and singer, who launched his showbiz career in the 1950s, will host the 90-minute show on ITV later this year after celebrating the landmark birthday in January. O'Connor's former chatshow co-host Melanie Sykes will make a special appearance in The One and Only Des O'Connor. Other celebrity guests on the show will include Little Britain's Matt Lucas, comedian Paul O'Grady, former Coronation Street actress Katherine (more)...
- 3/15/2012
- by By Rebecca Davies
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor is to be honoured with a TV special. The legendary singer-and-presenter will be joined by a host of celebrity guests from the worlds of film, comedy, television and entertainment for the programme, which will mark his 80th birthday. Des - who turned 80 in January - will film the show at the ITV London Studios later this month. The special programme will mark the veteran host's return to TV for the first time since he quit as host of 'Countdown' almost four years ago. Des departed 'Countdown' after two years to return to working in theatre. He said at the time: ''It's been...
- 3/5/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
The Apprentice star Nick Hewer's first pictures on the set of Channel 4 quiz show Countdown have been revealed. Hewer will replace Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling as the host of the long-running daytime series in the New Year. The former PR consultant follows in the footsteps of previous hosts Des O'Connor, Des Lynam and Richard Whiteley. Maths expert Rachel Riley and Dictionary Corner chair Susie Dent are both returning to the show. Speaking about his appointment earlier this year, Hewer (more)...
- 12/21/2011
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
The Apprentice star Nick Hewer has been announced as the new host of Countdown. Channel 4 confirmed that Lord Alan Sugar's aide will take over from Jeff Stelling when filming of the long-running gameshow recommences at the end of the year. Hewer's first episode as Countdown host will air on January 9, 2012. "I'm flattered to have been asked to present such an iconic programme and will work hard to justify sitting in the same seat as such great talents as Jeff Stelling, Des O'Connor and of course the great Richard Whiteley," Hewer commented. "It's particularly fitting that I should be doing this now as my spelling has started to slip quite badly. I used to be able to spell chrysanthemum." Channel 4 chief creative officer Jay Hunt said of the announcement: "Nick will be a (more)...
- 11/16/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor has confessed that he is open to the idea of becoming a father again at the age of 79. The talkshow legend already has four daughters from three previous marriages and a 6-year-old son with new wife Jodie Brooke Wilson, who is 37 years his junior. However, the former Countdown presenter shared with the Daily Mail that the couple are still interested in expanding their brood, despite his concerns that bringing up a child would be "selfish" so late in life. "I don't want to start again, but who knows?" he teased. "My wife has mentioned having another baby. But it would be a bit selfish of me at my age, even though I'm in reasonably good nick." O'Connor also recalled the decision to (more)...
- 9/17/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Melanie Sykes and Gino D'Acampo will host a new ITV1 programme together during the summer. The duo will present Lunch with Mel and Gino on weekdays throughout August as both This Morning and Loose Women go on their summer break. Sykes previously hosted Today with Des and Mel with Des O'Connor for the broadcaster. However, the chatshow was scrapped in 2005. Lunch with Mel and Gino will see the pair joined by two celebrity guests each day on a show which the broadcaster described (more)...
- 6/27/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor wants to become a father again - at the age of 80. The veteran TV presenter - who already has five children - reaches the milestone birthday in January and has admitted he would love for his youngest son, six-year-old Adam, to have a brother or sister. Speaking about his decision to have another baby with his 41-year-old wife Jodie, Des said: "It hurt when people said I was selfish to become a dad at my age. I don't feel my age and I'm not planning on leaving this earth anytime soon. "When he's 19 and I'm 90, I'll still be...
- 5/9/2011
- Virgin Media - TV
Max Clifford and Jo Westwood tied the knot yesterday at a ceremony held before close friends in Surrey. Famous faces including Pauline Quirke, Bobby Davro, Theo Paphitis and Des O'Connor who looked on as the couple said their vows in the low-key ceremony. Clifford, 66, earlier revealed that celebrities would be in attendance, but only ones that he considered as "genuine (more)...
- 4/4/2010
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Justin Lee Collins has voiced his intention to retire from TV in the near future to open a bookshop. The host of Five's new gameshow Heads Or Tails explained that he can't understand why veteran stars such as Bruce Forsyth or Des O'Connor are still working in the industry. Lee Collins, a father-of-two, told The Mirror: "I'd like to be ridiculously busy for the next two years and if I can make my childrens' futures secure I'm inclined to say, here and now, that I'll (more)...
- 12/19/2009
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor has called for a return of "light entertainment" and "big stars" to British television. The former Countdown presenter said that he believed the public were united in favouring old-fashioned broadcasting formats. "Just ask the public and I think we already know what they will say," he told Digital Spy. "They miss the kind of big stars and quality light entertainment productions that the whole family could sit down and watch together." Speaking about modern TV and the rise of reality shows, he said: "We have to be realistic... in today's (more)...
- 7/6/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor has revealed that he missed out on the chance to host '80s show Blind Date after attempting to pitch the programme to Thames TV. The 77-year-old entertainer said that he suggested the show to the broadcaster's head Philip Jones after watching Australian version Perfect Match. "Philip was worried that the girls might have trouble with the men," O'Connor told Digital Spy. "'What if they get too frisky?' He then agreed it was a good TV idea and suggested, 'Maybe (more)...
- 7/6/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Countdown has seen its viewership increase since the departure of Carol Vorderman and Des O'Connor, reports The Mirror. Ratings for the Channel 4 quiz show, now fronted by Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling and newcomer Rachel Riley, have risen by 11% after the new series debuted ten days ago. The first show attracted an audience of 1.3 million and has averaged 1.1 million in subsequent episodes, putting it above 2008's figures. "We are delighted," a Channel 4 spokesman said. "Jeff and Rachel make a fantastic team." A show insider acknowledged (more)...
- 1/22/2009
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
Melanie Sykes has revealed that being pregnant affected her presenting skills when she worked on Today With Des And Mel. The TV star was expecting her second child Valentino Luca when she hosted one series of the ITV1 daytime show with Des O'Connor in 2004. "Most of the time we were [having fun] but when you do a daily show you can't have an amazing time every day - your job is to be the best you can be," Sykes (more)...
- 1/21/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Jeff Stelling has revealed that he thinks his first time in the Countdown presenter's seat went well. The Soccer Saturday host, who follows Des O'Connor in the role, said that he hopes viewers give the revamped quiz show a chance. "The signs are good. Some of the audience came up to me afterwards and said they'd enjoyed it. The acid test is what the viewers think," (more)...
- 1/9/2009
- by By Michael Thornton
- Digital Spy
Jeff Stelling has promised that he will maintain the tradition of "awful puns" on Countdown. The quiz show's new presenter said that his humour would be similar to former hosts Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam and Des O'Connor. "There will still be the awful puns," he told The Mirror. "I think one of the things that appealed to the producers is the humour - the good, bad and indifferent humour, well, mainly bad!" Meanwhile, Stelling laughed off claims that he may become a sex symbol for an older (more)...
- 1/8/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Countdown's new co-host Rachel Riley has been struggling to match the standard set by her predecessor Carol Vorderman, according to a report today. The 22-year-old Oxford graduate took over as the programme's numbers and letters girl last month following Vorderman's departure. She was joined by sports presenter Jeff Stelling, who replaced main host Des O'Connor. Insiders have claimed that Riley was unable to solve the show's number puzzles as quickly and accurately as Vorderman in her first three weeks of filming. One source told the News of the World: "It's clear she hasn't managed to match Carol's skills yet. If the contestants couldn't solve a problem Carol would (more)...
- 12/28/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Carol Vorderman has made her last appearance on Countdown after 26 years on the show. The 47-year-old appeared in over 4,500 episodes but announced in July that she planned to step down from the programme. The episode was preceded by a half-hour tribute to Vorderman, hosted by dictionary corner guest Gyles Brandreth. Presenter Des O'Connor described her as a "gem and a rock", adding: "We'll all miss you". Vorderman joined the programme in 1982 as a maths expert. Her initial role was to check contestants' sums in the numbers round but eventually she was promoted to then-host Richard Whiteley's (more)...
- 12/12/2008
- by By Lara Martin
- Digital Spy
Jeff Stelling and Rachel Riley have been confirmed as the new presenters of Countdown. Stelling, who presents Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports, will take over from Des O'Connor as host of the Channel 4 quiz in January. "I am delighted to be hosting Countdown and follow in the footsteps of such great broadcasters as Richard Whiteley, Des Lynam and Des O'Connor," the father-of-three told The Sun. Riley, who replaces Carol Vorderman as co-presenter, (more)...
- 11/21/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Carol Vorderman has filmed an emotional final Countdown, bringing to an end 26 years on the Channel 4 gameshow. Vorderman announced that she would be leaving her post as the programme's maths whizz in July, along with co-host Des O'Connor. The 47-year-old said she had enjoyed a "lot of laughs" and had mixed emotions about leaving. "As you might imagine I will miss everybody deeply," (more)...
- 11/14/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Political broadcaster John Sergeant is the latest to be linked to hosting Countdown. It was reported yesterday that comedian Alexander Armstrong had pulled out of the job. Soccer Saturday host Jeff Stelling and panto veteran Christopher Biggins are also rumoured to be in the running to replace Des O'Connor. According to The Sun, Sergeant is Channel 4's favoured choice, but he has been unable to provide a screentest because (more)...
- 10/31/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
An 11-year-old schoolboy has become one of Countdown's youngest winners, beating a teacher more than twice his age. Kai Laddiman made a dream come true when he appeared on the Channel 4 quiz show, which he has watched since the age of two, reports the Daily Mail. The youngster auditioned for the show in January and was joined by his mother while filming with hosts Carol Vorderman and Des O'Connor in Leeds. Laddiman, from Broad Oak, East Sussex, eventually beat opponent James (more)...
- 10/2/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Des O'Connor is to quit as the host of Countdown at the end of the current series. The presenter, who took over the show in January 2007, said he is leaving so he can return to working on "entertainment-based shows". "It's been wonderful hosting a programme which is part of TV folklore," the 76-year-old told The Sun. "I've made a lot of new friends. Carol Vorderman has been a joy... It's been a giggle since day one." He continued: "But I miss the thrill of stepping out on (more)...
- 7/23/2008
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
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