Review: Des O'Connor at Wolverhampton Grand

Des O'Connor, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Talk show host and crooner Des O'Connor turned on his infamous charm and charisma when he wooed a packed audience at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

The former Countdown presenter wandered on to the stage at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre without the over-the-top introduction that you might expect from a star of his magnitude.

It was the sort of entrance that really set the scene for a very personable performance from the 80-year-old, who has been on the showbiz circuit for more than 60 years.

In the first 40 minutes of last night's show, Des cantered through a couple of songs and told jokes while oozing the undeniable class and sophistication that landed him roles on so many great TV shows.

He told how as a youngster he toured with Buddy Holly and how during a stint in Las Vegas, he watched as Frank Sinatra crept through the back door of a tiny club before singing "One More For The Road".

What shone through from his performance was the undeniable charm he has in abundance. Female members of last night's packed audience wolf-whistled as he moved across the stage while the men chuckled at his clean but brilliant jokes.

With more than 1,000 solo appearances at the London Palladium during his long and distinguished career, charming the audience at the Grand was never going to be a challenge.

But he delivered the sort of performance last night that left those who witnessed it leaving the theatre feeling like he had not simply gone through the motions, as can often be the case with experienced stage stars.

He talked about his brief stint as a professional footballer with Northampton Town FC, breaking into television, his first theatre appearances and details of some of the stars he has appeared alongside.

And it is the sort of background that would be envied by many in the showbiz game. , Robert Redford, Tony Blair, and members of the Royal Family. On the basis of last night's performance, it is easy to see why Des, who was awarded the CBE in 2008, is regarded as such a brilliant entertainer and why he is loved by the public.

By Shaun Jepson