LEGENDARY entertainer Des O'Connor is coming to Melksham to perform for one night only.

The 83-year-old former TV presenter and singer with 36 albums and four top ten singles to his name will be at the Assembly Hall in June.

O'Connor has performed with some of the leading names of showbiz, Frank Sinatra, Liberace, the Beatles and Shirley Bassey to name a few, but for millions he will be best known as being the butt of the jokes of the country's TV treasures, comic duo Morecambe and Wise.

Famously, Morecambe called him Death O'Connor or Des - Short for Desperate, but, like a true trouper, O'Connor always took the jibes on the chin with a smile.

When asked why he never tires of performing live, he said: “I just love performing. When I’m on stage I just have to giggle, every night is different and so much fun.”

O'Connor's visit to Melksham is one of 10 dates he has announced he will be doing this year across the country.

Operations manager at the Assembly Hall, Lorna Howard, said: “It’s a massive thrill and a privilege to be able to welcome Des to Melksham for a wonderful evening of comedy, laughter and music.

“Des is one of a very few genuine showbusiness greats and this is a rare opportunity to see a true entertainment legend live on stage, up close and personal, in Melksham’s very own Assembly Hall."

It was Mr O’Connor’s agent Brian Shaw who got in touch with the Assembly Hall to ask if they would be interested the performer coming to town.

Mr Shaw, who also has physic medium Derek Acorah and comedian Jethro as clients, says he looks for places where his clients will get a positive experience.

He said: “It is an established venue our clients enjoy, Jethro had a thoroughly good time there last year. Everyone was charming and that makes us want to pick that venue.”

Tickets for An Evening with Des O’Connor on June 19 are £24, or £22 for pensioners. They can be bought from Melksham Assembly Hall: 01225 704187 or the Tourist Information Centre.