Des O’Connor Tonight

1 9 7 7 – 1 9 7 8 (UK)
1 9 8 0 – 1 9 9 9 (UK)
234 x 50 minute episodes

This long-running entertainment show starred Des O’Connor who played host to (and interviewed) some of the finest entertainment talent from Britain and America.

In 1983 the show moved from BBC2 to ITV.

Guests over the years included Les Dawson, Bruce Forsyth, Lynsey de Paul, Ted Rogers, Bobbie Gentry, Marti Caine, Larry Grayson, Leo Sayer, Norman Wisdom, Ronnie Corbett, Frankie Howerd, Harry Secombe, Val Doonican, Terry Wogan, Helen Shapiro, Vera Lynn, David Letterman, Bernie Winters, Little and Large, Dickie Henderson, Dudley Moore, Bob Monkhouse, Jay Leno, Lynda Carter, Michael Keaton, Max Bygraves, Ken Dodd, Garry Shandling, Jim Davidson, Pam Ayres, Jerry Seinfeld (in his UK debut), the Nolan Sisters, Mike Yarwood, Rod Hull, Sheena Easton, Bucks Fizz, Lenny Henry, Freddie Starr, The Shadows, Jimmy Tarbuck, Tom Jones, David Frost, Chas ‘n’ Dave, Joan Rivers, Ernie Wise, The Everly Brothers, Matt Monro, The Tremeloes, Bananarama, Shakin’ Stevens, Twiggy, Cilla Black, Jackie Collins, Dom DeLuise, Sacha Distel, Tony Bennett, Oliver Reed, Andy Williams, Danny La Rue, Shirley Bassey, Mel Brooks, Petula Clark, Donny Osmond, Status Quo, Adam Faith, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cliff Richard, Tony Curtis, Fine Young Cannibals, Linda Ronstadt, the Gypsy Kings, Kylie Minogue, Neil Sedaka, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Michael Caine, Julie Andrews, Barry Manilow, Elton John and many many more.

Des O’Connor was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2017 but kept the condition a secret from the press and his fans. He died in November 2020 after suffering a fall in his Buckinghamshire home. He was 88.