Des O'Connor joins Eric & Ernie (again)

From the 1979 Christmas Special which had David Frost talking to Eric & Ernie about their lives and careers, this is the section when they were joined by Des O'Connor.

[@HalStargazer]

christmas has never been the same without eric & ernie

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Or Fools and Horses...

[@Aerojet01]

Des was always a good sport. He never took himself seriously. The world has lost a decent human being. RIP.

[@lesleycunningham8094]

I miss old time comedy unlike todays lot who try hard but know the old stuff is much better . The problem today is there is too much pc . It ruins traditional humour .

[@willielarsson9651]

100%

[@Aerojet01]

@@lesleycunningham8094 I agree. The problem nowadays people take themselves far too seriously and are easily offended. For example, a Canadian comedian Mike Ward was ordered to pay $42,000 because he insulted a child singer Jérémy Gabriel who happened to have a disability. The ruling was passed down by the Quebec Human Rights Tribunal. It's not really my taste in humour, but I thought it was a bit harsh treating someone like they're a war criminal over a misplaced joke. Ward has also been ordered to pay $5,000 in moral damages and $2,000 in punitive damages to Jérémy's mother, Sylvie Gabriel. Don't get me wrong, harnessing someone at work or in the playground through humorous insults is unacceptable, but Satire is completely different. Overall, I think we should teach people how not to be offended.

[@sharona1981]

Only real friends could muck about and take the mickey out of each other like this. RIP Eric, Ernie and Des.

[@Nickmariners]

...and Sir David Frost

[@sharona1981]

@@Nickmariners Of course, sorry. RIP all of them.

[@johnglen2841]

Its rubbish getting older, losing all your childhood favourites from TV and films. Such is life I suppose.

[@sharona1981]

@@johnglen2841 All too true John. It is sad.

[@jackpayne5101]

When a reporter phoned Des up to say that Eric had died Des burst into tears. God Bless All of them ❤

[@louiserobinson410]

Eric never stopped joking while he was in the cardiac unit. As a young student nurse I served him a cup of tea. He was getting fellow heart attack patients to read through the scripts with him, while they were all sat up in their beds and wired to monitors

[@ead9726]

Oh bless him☺️, I bet their BP would all be up with the laughter. Yes, he seemed a down to earth man, bless him, and Ernie.

[@Cyndithia68]

Oh wow such a memory.

[@jon-francis9289]

Laughter. The best medicine there is. It must have been a riot giving him a bed bath.

[@Teach.Experience.Dance-Vicky]

What a legend

[@GeeGee3374]

"he came to my daughter's wedding, he wasn't invited but he came" 😂😂

[@frankhornby6873]

GeeGee3374 ...absolutely brilliant!....

[@TheGava4]

The gag is weak but (as always) its Eric’s timing!!

[@nigelw512]

Class acts, puts todays entertainers to shame. I remember the country stopped when they were on TV. Just glad they were around as I grew up.

[@trevorgrafflin5928]

As a young lad at the time, I could not wait for the Christmas Special from these two. Thier show in general was brilliant. Why cant there be funny people like this today, solid funny family show. The two Ronnies was also amazing.

[@Britkyiv]

A true entertainer than never needed to use bad language. RIP Des O'Connor.

[@stevelewis2378]

In 1970 or 1971, my mother went with a small group of friends to London to see Des at the Palladium. After the show, they went to the stage door hoping to see him and ask for his autograph. When he appeared, they politely asked for his autograph. His reply was "F Off", then he got into a waiting car and was driven off. My mother and her friends were just ordinary middle-aged women who were fans of Des. They weren't after that.

[@jacquiluke331]

I live in Australia these days but have just watched Des with Eric and Ernie.Thanks for the memories.Jacqui.

[@soeffingwhat]

@@stevelewis2378 Really?

[@stevelewis2378]

@@soeffingwhat Yes, totally true.

[@oldskoolfool141]

@@stevelewis2378 Do you expect a barman to pull you a pint on his way home from work too?

[@sounddecision3350]

Eric was my hero growing up I believe he is the funniest man to walk this earth and I still miss him to this day

[@jmj1]

My Dad was a Bevin Boy during the war and shared a room and worked with Eric down the mines.

[@jh230377]

RIP Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise and Des O’Connor. Also Sir David Frost. All TV Legends!! 👍

[@mickcorbett6724]

Apparently, Des wrote most of the words that took the piss out of him. What a wonderful human, he was.👌

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

Des was very close to Ernie and Eric. He helped them come up with the real zingers.

[@michaeldick6227]

I think there was a show where they didn’t make a joke about Des and he called to ask why not.

[@garyrasberryjr.552]

@@michaeldick6227 The great skit with Glenda Jackson as Cleopatra even had a zinger. When Glenda said "What is it, Desdemona?" - Eric responds "Looks more like Des O'Connor."

[@philwilson4633]

Des was a great sport, but it didn't hrm his career did it

[@Red-Revolution708]

They are all in Heaven with Tommy Cooper as well all together now, god bless them all and R.I.P .

[@georgedesouza8937]

No sh1t Sherlock!

[@8-bitsteve500]

There is no heaven (sadly), they might be gone but they'll always be remembered. RIP legends

[@peejpom]

Don't forget Doddy and the Diddymen...

[@soeffingwhat]

@@8-bitsteve500 Whether or nor there is, its what some people believe and its their right to do so,.

[@alfching2499]

Probably all getting pissed in The Angel.

[@floydantoine4361]

I'm rolling with laughter even now the gold standard is these three gems never will we see their like again... Its been a privilege

[@martyrobson4958]

Lol 😂 these guys were so funny; I was so lucky to grow up watching this kind of comedy; and fair play to Des; he was Pissing himself laughing as well; what a good sport; it’s pretty obvious these guys had a lot of respect for each other and enjoyed making people laugh 😂 happier and simpler times

[@markwhittaker6866]

Exactly.

[@ead9726]

Yep so true, their Christmas specials were brilliant and boy they took the Micky out of Des on their other shows, all good clean fun.

[@bozz1954]

Sadly all gone but well loved and certainly not forgotten. True entertainers.

[@troo_story]

Cracked me up at the end with the "End of Part One" caption. Never seen that before. 😂😂 Today's sad news spells the end of an amazing laughter-filled life. RIP Des O'Connor.

[@theresapierce3934]

I was so fortunate to grow up watching all these greats on television. It really was a golden time and they were all worth the money they earned.

[@kdp8133]

Hear Hear! We'll never see the like again.

[@misst.e.a.187]

This type of telly was the gold standard for entertainment. I really miss it.

[@madspaniel4271]

Well said! - spot on.

[@lesroberts3226]

❤ couldn’t agree more ❤

[@fingersTitan]

Todays trosh deserve the money these got and these deserved the money todays waste of spaces get... Ant and Dec signed for over a mill each for Red or Black I think it was and don't have a 10th of the skills and humor of anyone of them 3... David was a superb host.

[@teresadelaney1361]

Adored him from a little girl...not to mention beloved Eric & Ernie....that was humour & TV at its best!! We will sadly never see the likes of them again....😔 God bless you & RIP....Thank you for the laughter & happy memories....❤️🙏😘

[@MikeMJPMUNCH]

"He came to my daughter's wedding. He wasn't invited but he came" the timing of that line is perfection.

[@bobbyv879]

MikeMJPMUNCH 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@johndearden7931]

In comedy the timing is the thing and M & W had it in spades

[@cylon6]

And Des DID go to the wedding.

[@frankhornby6873]

cylon6 ...Yeah...but he wasn't invited.....

[@vincentharriman3283]

Did they let Des sing at the wedding?

[@wayneconn1079]

R.I.P Des so many wonderful memories . They dont make talent like yours anymore . Great singer . Comedian and entertainer . God bless you

[@jamesoneill9417]

When I heard the sad news this morning, I had to come on here to see this sketch again. Pure comedy gold.

[@misst.e.a.187]

Lovely man, with an infectious smile.

[@tarquin4592]

Great singer?! That’s stronging it a bit! I wonder w ho’s got Buddy Holly’s guitar now...

[@wayneconn1079]

@@tarquin4592 he sold more records than you my friend .

[@misst.e.a.187]

RIP, lovely Des O'Connor, just passed. Now he's joined the other three. Life, eh?

[@jaybones8457]

Death really, but I get your drift.

[@josephinebennington7247]

Jay Bones. And with a name like yours....you’d know...

[@DieFlabbergast]

Lived to be eighty-eight: can't complain. Well, you could complain, but nobody listens.

[@FRANKTHRING1]

In the great days of British Variety Theatre, Des went on stage at the most feared theatre in Britain - the Glasgow Empire, known as the "comedians graveyard" where the audience thought nothing of chucking a bottle at a weak act - and promptly fainted ! Eric and Ernie thought it hilarious and never let Des forget it !!

[@broadsmilemissmagootewkesb5799]

42 years later and I'm still laughing out loud :-)

[@ianglasse809]

Entertainment genius' ALL. We will never see their 'like' again. Halcyon days of TV!

[@dharmaseed]

"Our impression of Des O' Connor: Ladies & gentlemen, good evening, *thud*!" LOL

[@raymondgill9796]

The gold standard for comedy, in my humble opinion.

[@Mediumal]

Absolutely. Brilliant stuff.

[@raymondbullock4557]

Such class all of them. Golden age of British TV and no one to hold a candle to them now.

[@kerry5586]

A time when you could sit down with the family and enjoy the tv without worrying something sordid or foul language was going to appear.

[@misst.e.a.187]

Especially on a Saturday evening after dinner. Lovely times.

[@andrewbarker4986]

my sentiments exactly

[@jjimywoods1363]

@@andrewbarker4986 ditto👍

[@hilaryjohns4049]

@@andrewbarker4986 There have been recently Sunday evening series that have the f word on abundance. I switched off.

[@1874allan]

Stumbled on this clip by accident. Comedy genius as we know, but it takes me back to my 70’s childhood and wonderful memories of watching Christmas tv with my parents.

[@blagger42]

We were so lucky

[@victorseal9047]

All of them added happiness to my life.

[@eileenbell8965]

Well said

[@4vep]

Exactly

[@miniaxe4026]

R.I.P Des O'connor. What a legend you were!

[@josephinebennington7247]

Did you say leg end? (Thanks to Wogan for that one).

[@kdp8133]

Thank the lord I grew up with this type of comedy!

[@duncanmills391]

We were blessed!

[@jabba7746]

TV just isn't this wholesome anymore. I know ripped into all guests they had on their shows, Andre Previn being my personal favourite, but the long running jokes about Des where hilarious and what a great sport he was about it. RIP not only Des but all 3 of the Legends.

[@zaygezunt]

Des : I do two hours by myself Eric: I've heard that and I'll tell you who told me - your wife! God, he was good!!!

[@SpeccyMan]

Yes indeed. Eric had the gift of the gag.

[@SoFkwHat80]

@@SpeccyMan Good hearted retort from Des to " Sometimes she shows up ". You could not help but like Des O'conner.

[@flower2364]

I miss good old Eric and Earn.... Happy Memories. So darned funny... R.I.P.

[@waldenhouse]

What a fantastic ending! There’s no comedy like this any more.

[@zahidsarker3154]

If u find different type of vedio.... That is Only for u.... kzbin.info/door/JaFO3owcVSA7YccMhM2igw

[@ElvarMasson]

Zahid Sarker - Would you mind not posting the same comments on here ?

[@patsymillar9447]

I read des oconners life story, and he credited Morecambe and wise with reviving his career at one point. But he always said the jibes were never cruel. Unlike some other people who came after.

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I agree - you can see that they had a great deal of respect and fondness for each other in the interview........let’s be honest, Eric and Ernie were never cruel to anyone. True gents.

[@Sameoldfitup]

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams..

[@GaryWayneHill64]

Eric, Ernie and now Des, all gone, Oh what a wonderful place heaven must be today

[@johnking5174]

And also David Frost - all four on screen are now in the spirit world

[@kerry5586]

RIP Des. You gave many happy hours.

[@promerops]

Eric Morecombe Comic Genius

[@gtrman9706]

I've got a criminal record.Des O'Connors first album.

[@MOGGS1942]

Des would love that one.

[@AR-ii3ly]

That made me laugh. 😂

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

I hope you did time for that abhorrent crime.

[@antonywebster6614]

When comedy was comedy. The best of the best. Brings back great mémoires RIP

[@sllittle]

i love them , and eric will always remind me of my late grand dad. i still find it funnier then the stuff that passes as comedy today .

[@iandickson3748]

What comedy?

[@Ravenswalk]

RIP Des you were a legend.

[@alisoncox13]

Wish time machines were real because I would give anything to go back to the 70s and 80s best entertainment ever from the best people ever to live thank you so much for the memorable good times xxx.

[@chazmccord2523]

Pure family entertainment the likes of which we will never see again. Thank you all for the laughs. RIP Des, Eric and Ernie you all will be forever loved guys

[@daddy1964]

R.I.P Des O'Connor.

[@davidparker1821]

Comedy Gold! Takes me right back to my childhood watching my late father and grandfather in fits of laughter!

[@swalker496]

RIP Des,Eric & Ernie

[@TAILSESTVITA1955]

lots of people knock M&W , saying they were unfunny and it only appeals to english people etc ,, utter pish , morecambe and wise were brilliant comics if they were unfunny how come they lasted as long ? good clean fun they were no swearing no cheap laughs about cocks, fannies etc like some so called comedians have to use to get a laugh , you could watch M&W with your granny or grandson and know it was clean family fun . M&W are sadly missed and can never be replaced ,

[@PeterSellers22]

Who knocks Morecombe & Wise and why?

[@arthurpewtey]

@@PeterSellers22 Good questions. I've never heard ANYONE knock them. Then again, I'm only pushing 60.....

[@owaindavies9971]

@@arthurpewtey the yanks knocked them. They went over and appeared on the ed o Sullivan show and tanked big time. Afterwards, Ed approached Eric and told him that they failed because they talked too fast. Eric replied "I don't talk too fast. You yanks think too slowly." Gotta love him.

[@martinanugent5045]

RIP Des you will be missed.

[@southendonseaarts]

we all used to be lined up waiting for their Xmas Day special. We split our sides laughing.

[@66PHILB]

Morecambe & Wise and the Queens Speech. Christmas Day was timed around those two Events and I use the word advisedly.

[@babyblue1194]

You can’t have this much fun with each other, without loving each other.

[@ginger-jc7ti]

Omg great ending, never laughed so much for years Rip Eric, Ernie, Des 💐💐💐

[@Einstein852]

Miss them. And Des what a sport to play along with them.

[@jamesbigmac60]

not 1 swear word in sight good clean fun

[@mattissotrendy]

james macdonald What does swearing have to do with it?

[@mattissotrendy]

N/A N/A Straight to personal insults. Sign of a lovely person 🙄

[@mattissotrendy]

N/A N/A Ahh straight to the ‘snowflake’ insult. 😂

[@mattissotrendy]

N/A N/A Throll?

[@JamesSmith-qy3eu]

Fuck. Swear word now in sight.

[@buffalobilly7605]

It's likely that we will never see the likes of these comic gods again.

[@mikeoneill8665]

How true.

[@arthursmaguire8681]

Yes top class

[@pauldashwood2897]

It’s definitely not likely .if today’s comedians did this it just wouldn’t be funny ..great times .

[@markperryman1797]

I know, they're both Dead !

[@frankhornby6873]

Mark Perryman ....bum!.bum!...tsshh!...

[@marksullivansullybcs8340]

Legends loved um. So glad they were part of my childhood

[@pauljackson2098]

A really beautiful friendship, pure laughter and joy,just don't see it now

[@mickj.147]

Absolute comic genuis.Eric was the master at timing.

[@zahidsarker3154]

If u find different type of vedio.... That is Only for u.... kzbin.info/door/JaFO3owcVSA7YccMhM2igw

[@philipdowns6723]

Incredible comedian, just a legend in showbusiness.

[@terryallen5328]

Brilliant comedy from three of Britain’s finest entertainers. RIP Eric & Ernie.

[@Telecaster4959]

My absolute no 1 in any walk of life... Eric was and remains a comedy genius. A Fantastic man whether making us laugh or not . An avid Luton town fan whom I met several times...Thankyou Mr Morry came

[@davidmarlborough8332]

The other thing which always strikes me when I see clips from this time - any time before the 90's basically - is that men dressed smartly and neatly as a matter of course and looked a lot better for it.

[@ajivins1]

I saw an awful Adam Sandler film called 'Pixels'. Later I saw pictures of the premier and he was in a dirty tee-shirt and baggy shorts as was his mate Kevin James. Selena Gomez actually dressed for the occasion. It looked bad.

[@averyljones1759]

@@ajivins1 l

[@johnbutler2801]

Des always said that Eric and Ernie were the ONLY two people he would let insult him - they were all such close friends and Ernie used to drop off Des to his various gigs in their early days.

[@franl155]

They did it with genuine respect and affection. Other people just did it. And the difference really shows.

[@markmckean5187]

Apparently Des would write some himself and send them to Eric and Ernie.

[@vincentharriman3283]

Yes Des did write some of the put downs himself.

[@nige-g]

I haven't laughed so much in ages, seeing this reminds me of the time when we had shows which entertained 🤣 pretty much everyone. RIP guys

[@raymiemac71]

Absolutely no doubt the best comedy years for TV. Sadly missed.

[@johnbarthram2761]

Superb Superb Superb. There was very real affection and respect between Des, Eric and Ern, God bless them.

[@PNEKarl]

You just cannot beat this humour!

[@jedionboard1233]

A year later,,, im here again watching this classic piece of tv. Just wish the whole special was on youtube, PLEASE.

[@michaelwhiles5282]

JOY ! Saw Des and Jimmy live last year in Harrogate - really pleased I did. God bless.

[@matthewakian2]

That ending is hilarious.

[@MissMark999]

matthewakian2 I

[@colinp2238]

It was a formula they often used.

[@davidfoley5095]

matthewakian2 g by hI by ģ yt? Ft g

[@plugh1]

Des talks about festival theater paignton. I met him there and got his autograph. Genuinely nice guy. Rip. Is it true morecombe and wise met you at the pearly gates with a sign that said no singing.

[@anderjpoo]

Nice memory, good joke!

[@plugh1]

@@anderjpoo Tanks Truthfully not my Joke. I saw it posted as a response to one of the News stories of the sad passing of Des. Seemed somehow appropriate to steal it and repost here for these 3 Icons of English TV.

[@pascalrigollet9028]

Perhaps now he's with them, they should tell him they never played his records at normal speed on the radio.

[@plugh1]

@@pascalrigollet9028 That's good. In one appearance on M&E Eric told Des he never sings the right notes. I so wish Des had turned to Eric and Said Oh I sing all the right notes just not necessarily in the right order!

[@jedionboard1233]

Eric ,,, OMG , what a funny man. His laugh always gets me.

[@davemapp1571]

A privilege to have grown up with these peerless entertainers. We will miss you Des just as we still miss Eric & Ernie. Thank you for all the joy you brought us & such wonderful memories. R.I.P

[@MrDaiseymay]

Those were the days, we thought they'd never end. All Four of them gone.

[@greebo6549]

Des O'Connor meets Eric and Ernie (again): RIP Des

[@MOGGS1942]

Despite all the stick Des gets,there's a great deal of affection on display.

[@Voxac100b]

brian morgan He was a true friend

[@charlesmoore4046]

morgan po

[@MOGGS1942]

Charles Moore ???

[@malcolmmartin9696]

Charles Moore ,

[@BigAL0074]

They were great friends and the exposure Des got from them must have boosted his career no end.

[@ianmason979]

He was never smutty. he never used bad language. he showed that you can be funny and not use bad language or be rude. And Eric and Ernie had great respect for him.

[@johnking5174]

Well Eric came near the knuckle with the joke at Des about "doing 2 hours by myself". Closest you would get with a rude joke from Eric.

[@pauldickinson3809]

Just found this on here, they were just class

[@1953buick]

real humor, no one can deliver like those 2. legends.

[@franl155]

I think it was Eric who said that it took them thirty years to become famous overnight … they honed their craft in the clubs and theatres, polished it till it sparkled. And didn't it just.

[@gwandao]

There nearly all gone now, only one that springs to mind of any relevance and is still alive is Tarby.

[@marionlorimer7506]

He was and is the funniest man ever! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@lfcmonkeyyyman6229]

Frost, Morecambe and Wise, Des O'connor ... 4 absoluute legends

[@sllittle]

each to their own .. i love them .... nothing is forced and it was all done in a way not to hurt anyone .

[@ysgol3]

Shows just how much M+W and Des liked and respected each other. Very touching. Lovely.

[@craig1538]

So sad watching this knowing that none of these legends of their craft are no longer with us 😔

[@BNCA70]

Des is still alive

[@MrArchie800]

Jeepers I don't feel very old - I'm 52 and I remember watching this lot as a child, and it was so normal at the time to watch this class of comedy every week. It is crazy to think they've all gone and this type of wholesome comedy might never be repeated

[@davidgreenwood5241]

As the song goes you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone .happy days

[@elainepotts9571]

Class acts. RIP Des O'Connor.

[@catlady6304]

sat here crying lol. 😂😂😂bloody hilarious. don’t make them like that any more,

[@shamimahmad7245]

Very true

[@andrewbarker4986]

exactly my words.thank you

[@stevepollard4783]

Great trio. Nothing like them ever again.

[@cogidubnus1953]

This is everyday stuff from the best of the best....(Eric, Ernie AND Des)...superb players...

[@1ATV]

Made by Thames at Teddington. We will never see this sort of valued entertainment again ( sadly )

[@philipsteel5024]

Now this is comedy. Never to be replaced. RIP all of you

[@daweshorizon]

Des was a pretty good comedian too! He got a bit of friendly 'revenge' on this show! Des was the 'third beatle' to Eric and Ernie's classic double act. All three so sadly missed. Love and peace.

[@johngraham5996]

"he came to my daughters wedding.....he was'nt invited but he came" 😂😂😂

[@bartram33]

Tom Jones once told a joke on Eric and Ernie's show, he said ' what's brown, lives in a tree and can't sing?' Des O'Conker!

[@sgtg4600]

So many GREATS gone. M&W. The 2 Ronnie's and many others...

[@peteandurnot]

Sgt G Des is still going strong I'm happy to say.