Legendary TV star Des O'Connor has died, aged 88.

Tributes have now been paid to the former Countdown host. 

His agent said in a statement: “It is with great sorrow that I confirm that Des O’Connor passed away yesterday (Saturday 14 November).

“He had been admitted to hospital just over a week ago, following a fall at his home in Buckinghamshire. He was recovering well and had been in great spirits, visited by his family – in accordance with hospital lockdown regulations – and looking forward to going home. Unfortunately yesterday evening his condition suddenly deteriorated and he drifted peacefully away in his sleep.

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“Des, who was 88, was so well loved by absolutely everyone. He was a joy to work with – he was talented, fun, positive, enthusiastic, kind and a total professional. He loved life, and considered enthusiasm almost as important as oxygen. He adored his family – they were everything to him. He is survived by his wife Jodie, their son Adam and his four daughters, Karin, TJ, Samantha and Kristina.

"Jodie’s world is shattered, she and Adam and Des’s daughters are hurting more than you could possibly imagine.

“Des was the ultimate entertainer. He loved being on stage – entertaining a live audience. He always said the sound of laughter was like the sound of heavenly music. He had a fabulous international TV career, presenting his own prime-time TV shows for over 45 years. On stage he starred at almost every leading venue throughout the world.”

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Des O' Connor came to Oxford's New Theatre in September 2018 for an unscripted show with Jimmy Tarbuck. 

Here's a snippet of our interview with him at the time: 

Oxford Mail:

“But in terms of being on stage, there’s nothing like the sound of laughter coming from an audience,” he admits, “it’s such a lot of fun.”

In short, he’s addicted. “Well it keeps me on my toes. If you’re on stage in front of 1000 people or more you’ve got to make them laugh and you can’t do that by telling them something they’ve heard before.

“And you have to be genuine. People aren’t fools.”

And then he laughs. “One man shouted out the other day ‘ is that your own hair.’ and I said, ‘what idiot would buy a wig with a hole in the back’?

“Do I miss it? I would if I was too far away from an audience.”

“But I am more comfortable on stage than anywhere else. And people like seeing you make the odd mistake. It means you are more real as long as you are honest about it.

“I remember tripping in The Wizard Of Oz up while saying ‘there is no other wizard except me’, before adding ‘although what kind of wizard am I if I can’t even walk properly’ and it brought the house down.”

Read the full story here.