Des O'Connor Tonight

- Season 17

(1993)

A brand new series, with Des welcoming Elton John, Jack Dee, Barry Manilow and Kiki Dee. Unfortunately for Des, the BBC are screening England's final chance to stay in the World Cup at the same time as his show.

Des chats to Paul Merton about Have I Got News For You, why he never smiles, and his new guide to the 20th century. Also appearing are Mel Gibson, Michael Crawford, Bad Boys Inc. and Kim Wilde.

Des hosts the show from Hollywood, where guest Burt Reynolds talks about his movies and says of the UK: "You have bare-breasted women, which I think is good for everybody." Also appearing are Jonathan Winters and Angela Bassett.

Des asks Ben Elton about his reputation as a "motormouth" and how he developed such a fast-paced delivery. Also on the show are Diana Ross, Rowan Atkinson, Helen Mirren, Lesley Joseph and Lisa Stansfield.

Barry Manilow tells Des about his upcoming musical based on his song "Copacabana", and how the writing process was more important than appearing in it. Also on the show are French and Saunders, Cilla Black, Mike Reid and the Pet Shop Boys.

Des's festive special, with guests including Take That, Ken Dodd, Cliff Richard, Dina Carroll and Marti Caine.

Des welcomes Naomi Campbell, Phillip Schofield, Phil Collins and Wet Wet Wet to the show.

Des hosts the show from New York, introducing guests including Jeff Goldblum, Joan Rivers, Oleta Adams, Gregg Rogell and ZZ Top.

Des talks to Joan Collins about how her image differs from that of her acting roles, and about appearing in Playboy aged 49. Also on the show are Kurt Russell, Eternal, Joe Roberts and Jethro.

Des talks to Shirley Bassey about her recent CBE award, while she sings "Starlight Express" and "As If We Never Said Goodbye". Also on the show are Paul Daniels, Lee Evans, Richard Marx and Tom Sutton.

With Robin Williams, Bradley Walsh, Graham Taylor, Wendy Moten, Joe Longthorne and Kenny G.

Des closes off his seventeenth series by chatting to Mariah Carey about her recent marriage and how she began singing. Also on the show are guests including Tommy Steele and Joe Pasquale.