The ratings for the twelfth series of Des O'Connor Tonight averaged at 28th place in the charts, with 10.61 million viewers.
This opening episode charted in 23rd place with 11.1 million tuning in.
This opening episode charted in 23rd place with 11.1 million tuning in.
The act of Dan Hankins received a praise in the Sunday Mirror (30th October 1988) with columnist Albert Jacobs writing:
"EERIEST sight of the week was in Des O'Connor's new series on ITV last Wednesday. A black American impressionist called Dan Hankins gave us two impressions in one, turning his body sideways to the right for Lionel Richie and then to the left for Diana Ross. Down one side he was dinner-jacketed and moustached; the other side had Diana's long hair, no moustache and a long, sequinned dress! I thought it was brilliant but rather disturbing."
"EERIEST sight of the week was in Des O'Connor's new series on ITV last Wednesday. A black American impressionist called Dan Hankins gave us two impressions in one, turning his body sideways to the right for Lionel Richie and then to the left for Diana Ross. Down one side he was dinner-jacketed and moustached; the other side had Diana's long hair, no moustache and a long, sequinned dress! I thought it was brilliant but rather disturbing."
Receiving a negative reaction was Freddie Starr's skit with Des where he read out a list of words that he claims he wants to make sure are safe to say under IBA rulings.
The Stage (10th November 1988) wrote: "he begins by advising his star guest, who is there for that purpose, that he cannot say bum, piddle, tits, or anabolics. That's show business, 1988. His television career would have ended 24 years ago with those same words."
The Stage (10th November 1988) wrote: "he begins by advising his star guest, who is there for that purpose, that he cannot say bum, piddle, tits, or anabolics. That's show business, 1988. His television career would have ended 24 years ago with those same words."