The Des O'Connor Show

Des O'Connor, for years the butt of Morecambe and Wise's running gags, began in variety and toured just about every theatre in the country.

In the 1960s and 70s he had his own TV series which featured the usual variety mixture including an "I say, I say, I say" spot in which comedians would rush on to the stage, tell a joke, and rush off again.

The highlight of the week was seeing if Des could bring a smile to the face of diminutive straight man Johnny Vyvyan.

Ian Freeman has one very distinct memory of this show : "I worked at the time for Cyril Berlin, Des's agent at London Management (formerly The Delfont/Grade Agency) and used to go to the tapings each week at ATV Elstree Studios (now BBC Studios, where EastEnders is made) to ensure that Des was happy . . ."

"Once, during a rehearsal, as an eager 19 year-old and anxious to help, I moved a mike stand nearer to Des. The whole studio - not just our show, but the whole studio - came out on strike, as I was not a union member! Once I apologised, they all went back to work, but I was very shaken."