We couldn't let this edition of Looking Back go by without paying tribute to Des O'Connor.

The showbiz legend, who died last week aged 88, was no stranger to Weymouth.

Old-fashioned showman Des could turn his hand to anything - fronting his own variety show, hosting chat shows or presiding over the quiz Countdown.

He performed at Weymouth Pavilion on many an occasion, most recently in June 2015. I was lucky enough to have a chat with Des on the phone ahead of the show. Having grown up watching his chat show and seeing him interview big names such as Barbra Streisand and numerous Prime Ministers, I was terrified for the tables to be turned.

I should never have worried. Des turned out to be one of the most easy going and charming presences to have on the other end of the phone. He even ended up serenading me with Scott Walker's Joanna.

Des recalled his first visit to Weymouth in 2002. He said: "I remember driving along the seafront to the theatre and thinking what a lovely place it looked, seeing all the people walking about.

"The first time I was here the head of Granada Television came to see the show and spoke to me about Des and Mel and when I was here in 2005 a coachload of my family came along too."

Des, the ultimate entertainer, will be so missed. If you have memories of seeing Des O'Connor perform in Weymouth and would like to share them with us, email joanna.davis@dorsetecho.co.uk or call 01305 830973.