Bradley Walsh teared up while discussing the life and career of late television entertainer Des O’Connor – claiming he owes his own career to the star who was ‘like a father’ to him.
The 61-year-old presenter and comedian counted Des as a close friend – and was devastated when the entertainer passed away in November 2020 at the age of 88, and would have turned 90 next week on January 12.
Des enjoyed a long and glittering career on stage and on screen with his self titled talk show airing in 1963 and hosted Countdown in the 2000s – and died in his sleep in hospital over a year ago following a battle against Parkinson's.
Bradley previously opened up about an early experience which brought him and Des close together when the late performer worked The Chase star into one of his routines.
Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning back in 2020, Bradley said: “A lady once said to him at a show, is Bradley Walsh your illegitimate son?”
“And he joked yes and it stayed in his act since, even at the point when he was on the road with Tarby.”
He added: “I’ve got to thank Des because I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am now in the industry without Des’ input and his love and care.
“And he was like a dad to me. He is a sad loss. He is a giant.”
Des’s death was announced with great sadness by his agent on November 15th, 2020 – with a statement explaining: "It is with great sorrow that I confirm that Des O'Connor passed away yesterday ).
"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.
"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."
Melanie Sykes – who co-hosted Today With Des and Mel for four years between 2002 and 2006 – was among those to pay tribute to Des, saying a month after his sad passing: “Des had that spring in his step, you’re either youthful or you’re not. he was just lit up from the inside, he’s special that way.
“He was across everything, that’s his genius really, the preparation behind looking so relaxed and spontaneous.”
While Countdown co-host Carol Vorderman told BBC News in the aftermath of his death: "I grew up throughout the Des O'Connor years, when he was on the television all the time, on Des O'Connor Tonight and the Morecambe and Wise shows.
"Up to 20 million people would sit around the television and watch and laugh, and I mean laugh until they cried.
"He was the king; he was one of the very great British television entertainers."
