Des O’Connor has the last laugh

Press, 23 April 1983, Page 14

Des O’Connor has the last laugh

The British comedian, Des O’Connor, believes he has had the last laugh over his fellow humorists, Morecombe and Wise.

O’Connor, who will be in Christchurch for shows at the Richmond Working Men’s Club today, Sunday, and Anzac Day, said that for years he had been on the ropes taking Morecombe’s and Wise’s punches, but since his television show, “Des O’Connor Tonight,” had broken the record ratings set by the comedy duo’s programme on the 8.8. C., he thought he had the last laugh. “In fact, we are the best of friends. “Eric Morecombe came ot the wedding of my

daughter but Eric will say that he was not invited,” O’Connor said. After six years with the 8.8. C. doing “Des O’Connor Tonight,” the comedian will switch to Thames Television in September using the same format of introducing

a comedian in the first ? segment and singer (usually a woman) in the second ‘ segment, in which they end up singing a duet. ; O’Connor said that this > new series for Thames ' would feature better-known ;• comedians; his guests for * the first show were none ; other than Morecombe and ; Wise. -

O’Connor is also gratified to find that Prince Charles J and the Princess of Wales » have continued to follow J him around on his Australa- - sian tour. ' ’

“they were in Brisbane i when I was there, and now t they are in Auckland,” he I said. J O’Connor’s show-business ; age spans 30 years, and he ’ can still remember being Vs presented with a giant ( silver key in the Christ- i church Town Hall on Octo- • ber 12, 1974, for 21 years in I show business. i