"Des O'Connor and I giggled like schoolboys" — John Hannam pays tribute

In a way, for many years he lived a kind of double life.

As well as being a world famous entertainer, at the top of his profession, he was also a star-maker.

He gave so many young comedians and singers the opportunities to appear before millions on his worldwide hit television shows.

Cornish comedian Jethro being a prime example. His appearances with Des rocketed him to fame.

He gave the unknown Jennifer Rush her major chance to conquer Britain, via an appearance on his show.

In his early days Des came to the Island as a member of the Showbiz XI football team.

Then later, when he was a fast-rising comedian, he appeared in Sunday Concerts at Sandown Pavilion and Shanklin Theatre.

When he came back to Sandown Pavilion in 1987, he was one of the biggest stars in Britain's light entertainment industry. Only two people filled the seafront theatre that summer — Des and Freddie Starr.

For me, personally, it was a day to remember. I had gone through the official channels to try to obtain an interview with Des but had been turned down.

I went down to the sound-check just in case. Much to my surprise, Des's road manager was my old friend Anthony Bishop, who had worked for John Redgrave in his era of star summer seasons at Sandown.

He told me he would talk to Des and I popped backstage after the show. That was the first time I ever interviewed him.

On that occasion, he revealed to me the reason his popular live TV show was then recorded just a few hours before transmission.

That was down to Oliver Reed, Stan Boardman and Freddie Starr, who played havoc on the live show. Des and others ended up in the water fountain.

For ten years Des worked on stage as a double act with Jack Douglas. They even appeared on America's famous Ed Sullivan Show. They also stole a Royal Variety Show.

Des had tempted Jack back into the business after seeing him running his own Blackpool restaurant.

Jack later moved to the Island and enjoyed many years here performing in local professional shows and raising money for local charities.

Des O'Connor and Jack Douglas crowning the Tamworth Carnival Queen.

When Des came to star at Warner's Bembridge Coast Hotel, in 2002, I took Jack and his partner, Viv Russell, to the evening, with my late wife Heather.

After the show we spent 90 minutes with Des in his luxury apartment. Amazingly, we got a free cabaret as Des and Jack did a few quick routines they had done many years earlier.

Before Des came to Shanklin Theatre in 2009, I was invited to his Surrey home to record an interview to promote the show.

After our chat, we giggled like young schoolboys as we ate our chocolate marshmallows.

My lingering memory of that visit was viewing his snooker room. Morecambe and Wise would have had a field day. His gold discs were all around the walls.

I was intrigued by a guitar. He revealed it was given to him by Buddy Holly. Des compered the 1958 Holly tour of Britain — the only one he ever did.

Britain has lost a great entertainer, who was also such a nice man off stage.

I met him several times and was very honoured to have had those opportunities.