Comedian, singer and TV host Des O'Connor died following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire, in England.

 

A former schoolboy footballer at Northampton Town, he became known for hosting his own chat show, as well as Take Your Pick and Countdown he was also known for his friendship with Morecambe and Wise after completing his national service in the Royal Air Force.

 

London-born O'Connor presented his own prime-time TV shows for more than 45 years but also had success as a singer. His friendship with comedy duo Morecambe and Wise saw him mocked for his singing ability in sketches despite a successful career which included four Top 10 hits and more than 30 albums.

O'Connor appeared on stages around the world including hundreds of shows at the London Palladium.

 

His fame soared when he was hired to host The Des O'Connor Show, which ran on ITV from 1963 to 1971. In 1977 he began hosting Des O'Connor tonight, which started on BBC Two before moving to ITV, where it stayed until it ended in 2002.

 

He later hosted the Channel 4 quiz show Countdown alongside Carol Vorderman, with the pair bowing out together in 2008, and was made a CBE for his services to entertainment and broadcasting in that year's birthday honours.

 

Melanie Sykes, who hosted TV show ‘Today With Des And Mel’ alongside O'Connor, said it was an "education and a privilege to work with him". She wrote on Instagram: "He had talent in every fibre of his being and was stubborn as a mule. He was the full ticket as a friend and colleague."

 

Broadcaster Tony Blackburn said "he was a great entertainer and more importantly a very nice person", and TV presenter Gyles Brandreth described him as "the ultimate professional".

 

Speaking about his sketches with Morecambe and Wise, comedian David Baddiel said: "RIP Des O' Connor. It's worth remembering how brilliant he is at his own expense in these sketches."

 

Northampton Town Football Club also joined the tributes to their former reserve player saying: "We are very sorry to learn of the passing of Des O'Connor. Des famously played for our reserve team on a few occasions just after World War Two. Our thoughts are with all who knew Des."

 

Married four times, he had four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina from his previous marriages, in 2007, he married long-term girlfriend Jodie Brooke Wilson, who was 37 years his junior and gave birth to their son Adam when O'Connor was 72.

 

He was 88.