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Melanie Sykes has led tributes to her former performance partner Des O’Connor following his death last night at age 88.
Sykes and O’Connor, who died in the hospital Saturday after a fall at his home, presented Today With Des And Mel from 2002-2006.
She said O’Connor “had the softest hands of anyone I’ve ever met and the kindest heart.”
In an Instagram post, he wrote: ‘He was talented in every fiber of his being and he was stubborn as a mule. It was the full ticket as a friend and colleague.
When he chose me to be his co-host on the daytime show ‘Today’, it was one of the best days of my professional life. It was an education and a privilege to work with him for the next several years.
Melanie Sykes has led tributes to her former performance partner Des O’Connor after his death at 88 (pictured: Des O’Connor and Melanie Sykes)
Sykes and O’Connor, who died in the hospital Saturday after a fall at his home, presented Today With Des And Mel from 2002-2006.
In an Instagram post, she wrote: ‘He was talented in every fiber of his being and he was stubborn as a mule. It was the full ticket as a friend and colleague ‘
‘We worked long hours but we always laughed a lot, especially since when it was show time, he would always tell me that he looked like a robber dog! These years I will never forget or forget it. Dear Des, we will miss you forever. Melanie x.
O’Connor, who was famous for shows like Des O’Connor Tonight and Countdown, was mourned by many in the entertainment world.
Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman expressed her sadness at the news when she recalled O’Connor saying it was “lively, fun, that he ALWAYS wanted to entertain people.”
In two posts on Twitter, he wrote: ‘RIP Des O’Connor. It is very sad this morning to hear that dear Des has passed away.
“ He was the host of Countdown for a couple of years and it was a pleasure working with him. Lively, fun, ALWAYS wanted to entertain people.
Bradley Walsh, Robert Lindsay, Rhod Gilbert, Des O’Connor, Melanie Sykes, Matt Lucas and Paul O’Grady in 2012
O’Connor, who was famous for shows like Des O’Connor Tonight and Countdown, was mourned by many in the entertainment world (pictured: Cilla Black and Des O’connor with Anthony Andrews, 2011)
“ I will remember him mostly for his brilliant chat shows back in the days when families gathered around TV to watch, Des O’Connor was king.
‘We cried with laughter when Freddie Starr pretended to be behaving and things were very bad. Des will surely be entertaining the angels now.
‘Rest in peace and laugh, my friend.’
Top Gear host Paddy McGuinness tweeted: ‘What sad news. Des O’Connor was never afraid to laugh at himself and that was part of his charm. Whether it was Eric Morecambe ridiculing him, or Freddie Starr trashing his studio setup, Des always laughed. Another part of my childhood television disappeared. RIP Des O’Connor.
Television star Kate Robbins called Des O’Connor a “true professional and a beautiful person.”
She tweeted: ‘I’m so sad to hear that the wonderful Des O’Connor has died. He was a true professional and a beautiful person. My love to Jodie and her entire family at this sad time. Rest in peace Des. We already miss you so much £ RipDesOConnor.
In the photo: ‘The Des O’Connor Show’ – Des O’Connor and Lonnie Donegan
Des O’Connor, ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ press night at the Playhouse Theater, Charing Cross, October 2011
‘The Des O’Connor Show’ – Jack Douglas and Des O’Connor
Radio host Tony Blackburn told Times Radio: ‘This is very sad news … he was a very, very charming and very kind man.
‘He was a very light comedian, very chivalrous. His shows at Des O’Connor were great. He was very good at interviews and also, of course, he didn’t mind taking the mickey off himself like on Morecambe and Wise Show. They were always pulling the mickey out of their song, which wasn’t bad.
“He was a nice person and a true professional.”
Comedian Paul Chuckle also paid tribute to O’Connor, tweeting: ‘RIP the brilliant Des O’Connor. From Butlins Redcoat to one of the best comedians AND singers in the business, and such a lovely guy. Sleep easy, my friend.
Singer Kim Wilde, who performed alongside O’Connor, tweeted: ‘Great memories of singing’ Something Stupid ‘with Des O’Connor. Thanks for the memories, dear man.
Des O’Connor photographed in 1969. O’Connor, who was famous for shows like Des O’Connor Tonight and Countdown, was mourned by many in the entertainment world.
Sportscaster Gary Lineker tweeted saying: ‘I am saddened to hear that Des O’Connor has passed away. A truly charming man and one of the great entertainers of the old school.
Actress Sophie Evans, who starred alongside him in The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, tweeted: ‘I had the absolute pleasure of working with Des O’Connor on The Wizard of Oz. He was a perfect gentleman, with a twinkle in his eye and that old-school hard-working mentality. He did 8 shows a week for 3 months and he didn’t take a show off at 80 years old. He loved Des. What a legend!
Northampton Town Football Club also paid tribute to O’Connor, who played for their reserve team in the 1940s.
“We are very sorry to hear of Des O’Connor’s passing,” read a Twitter post on the club’s page.
“Des played for our reserve team on a few occasions right after WWII. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew Des.”
