THERE is a type of entertainer who simply refuses to exit stage left and disappear into obscurity.

Take for example Bruce Forsyth or Ken Dodd, both still delivering their routines at the age of 82.

Yet while they may be a dying breed in terms of their skills as all-round entertainers, in a literal sense they’ve got more life in them than the youngsters waiting to fill their boots.

At 78, Des O’Connor is a fully- fledged member of this club.

When asked for his thoughts on retirement, he warmly replies: “What does retirement mean? I’m writing books, recording a new album, doing TV pilots and, in my spare time, I’m blinking.”

The word longevity simple doesn’t do Des’s career justice.

In fact, 2009 was the first time in 46 consecutive years he didn’t have his own TV show.

That’s not to say he’s winding down at all, and the household name journeys to Westcliff’s Palace Theatre next Friday with his own variety show.

“I like to say it’s more of a happening,” he explains. “The first half is very, very loose and when I walk on that stage, Lord knows what will happen.

“I’ve started asking people if they’ve got any problems and you wouldn’t believe what they tell you.

“I had a woman recently who said she was having trouble with her man. I thought I know where this is going! It’s very loose and spontaneous to the point of silliness.”

The show then gives way to a more structured segment, which sees Des sing with a group of musicians he describes as “the best you can get off eBay”.

Since 1967 he has sold more than 16 million records, had a chart-topping single with I Pretend, in 1968, and spent 117 weeks in the Top Ten.

His successful music career is something that might surprise younger people, like one contestant on the quiz show Countdown.

“When I was presenting the show we had a young guy on, about 23 years old, who was very sharp,” says Des.

“At the beginning of the show I mentioned I had a new album coming out and in the advert break he said, ‘Congratulations and good luck in your new career’.

“I said, ‘Thanks, but I’ve already done 36 albums!’”

The singer is now planning on releasing his 37th record next spring. But it is the work on stage and screen, though, for which Des is perhaps best recognised. His showbiz journey began after leaving the RAF and picking up his first TV series, the Des O’Connor Show, in 1963.

Since then he’s not looked back, working with names such as Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand and the Beatles, and performing solo at the London Paladium more than 1,000 times.

More recently, he hosted celebrity talk show Today with Des and Mel, alongside Melanie Sykes, which notched up more than 500 episodes between 2002 and 2006. This was a move he repeated from 2007, when he hosted more than 500 shows of the popular words and numbers quiz Countdown over two years.

“That was a challenge for me as the show didn’t really need me,” he admits. “I had to resist the urge to tell jokes, but on some occasions it was just too hard.”

And the secret of Des’s success as an all-round entertainer?

“I don’t take myself too seriously,” he says.“You have to be able to laugh at yourself in showbiz. And also, just be yourself.”

Des’ contribution to entertainment and broadcasting was recognised with a CBE, presented to him by the Queen, in June 2008.

“The Queen thanked me for my services. It was quite brilliant,” he concludes.

An Evening with Des O’Connor Palace Theatre, London Road, Westcliff 7.30pm Friday, Aug 27 01702 351135