TV presenter Keith Chegwin dies aged 60
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Richard Pallot
TV presenter Keith Chegwin has died aged 60 following a "long-term battle with a progressive lung condition", his family said.
The former Cheggers Plays Pop presenter and Big Breakfast reporter died at home on Monday morning.
In a statement, Chegwin's family said: "We are heartbroken to share the news that Keith Chegwin sadly passed away following a long-term battle with a progressive lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), which rapidly worsened towards the end of this year.
"Keith died peacefully at home shortly after midnight on the 11th of December. His wife Maria, his daughter Rose and his son Ted were by his side.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank Severn Hospice for the kindness, support and care they have shown us all over the last few weeks.
"Keith was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. We would respectfully ask to be left to mourn his passing in private."
Around 6,000 people a year are diagnosed with IPF, a disease that causes fibrosis, or scarring of the lungs, which makes them stiffer so it is difficult to breathe.
As in Chegwin's case, IPF worsens over time. Its cause is unknown and there is no cure.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, a cough that does not go away and "clubbing" in the fingers and toes - a change in the size, shape and texture of the nails.
From a young age he took an interest in entertainment, attending a stage school with his twin brother and successfully auditioning for roles in TV and film while at school.
During the 1970s he appeared in a string of roles, including in Roman Polanski’s 1971 film of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the title role in 1975’s Robin Hood Junior.
From the mid-1970s, Chegwin’s career switched from acting to TV presenting, including children’s game show Cheggers Plays Pop, for which he is best known to many people, and Swap Shop, in which he appeared alongside Noel Edmonds and Maggie Philbin, who he married in 1982 and later divorced.
His career waned in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to struggles with alcoholism before he returned to present the "Down Your Doorstep" segment of The Big Breakfast. He then went on to present a revived version of It’s a Knockout.
After "the worst career move" in his life presenting Channel 5 nudist gameshow Naked Jungle, in recent years he has appeared regularly in reality TV shows.
These included Dancing On Ice in 2013, Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015.
He made numerous appearances as himself on TV and in film, including Ricky Gervais’ Extras and Life’s Too Short, and had roles in several pantomimes over the years.
Maggie Philbin, who was married to Chegwin for 11 years, said she last saw Chegwin at the wedding of his sister, the radio broadcaster Janice Long.
She said: "Keith was a one-off - full of life, generous and with a focus on things that mattered - his family.
"I saw him two months ago at his sister Janice's wedding, where he was still attempting to be life and soul of the party despite being on portable oxygen and made sure he knew how much he meant to us all.
"Our daughter Rose flew home from San Francisco to be with him over the last few weeks and I know he was surrounded by so much love from his second wife Maria, their son Ted, his sister Janice, his twin brother Jeff and his father Colin.
"Keith was loved by everyone who knew and worked with him."
Fellow Swap Shop presenter, Noel Edmonds said: "I've lost my first real telly chum and I'm certain I'm not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend."
John Craven, who worked with Mr Chegwin for 10 years on Saturday morning television in the 1970s and 1980s, told ITV News: "This has come as a terrible shock to me, a light has gone out."
He added: "He was professional to his fingertips. He was a master of the off the cuff comment - he always said that nobody ever wrote any scripts for him, he just made it up as he went along. And he made it all look so easy which is the mark of a master performer."
Radio DJ Tony Blackburn, who first worked with Chegwin when he was at BBC Radio 1, said: I’m absolutely devastated to hear that my friend Keith Chegwin has died.He was one of the nicest people I have ever known and over the years we did shows together and became great friends. Keith RIP."
He told the Press Association: "We always got on very well, he was the nicest person I've ever met, there wasn't a mean bone in his body.
"He was as you saw him on TV, that was him off screen as well and we just got on like a house on fire."
He added that he last spoke to Chegwin a month ago by telephone, adding: "He said he had been very very unwell and was still not quite right but he said 'I'm getting better'.
"He said 'I will phone you when I'm better'. I presumed he was recovering but he obviously wasn't."
In his last message on Twitter, posted on September 28, Chegwin let fans know he was not well, tweeting: "Still not right. I will be back - But not for a bit yet. I'm so sorry."
His Saturday Superstore co-host, Mike Read said: "Keith was someone who gave 100%. When the light went on, Keith was there.
"He was showbiz through and through."
Extras writer Ricky Gervais also paid tribute to Mr Chegwin, tweeting: "So sad to hear about the death of the lovely and funny Keith Chegwin. RIP you National Treasure."
A number of other TV personalities tweeted messages in memory of Chegwin, who was a household name in the 1980s and 1990s.
Big Breakfast presenter Gaby Roslin tweeted: "No. I can’t bear the news. Not him. I was blessed to work with Keith Chegwin on the big breakfast and he was a happy and joyous man. So generous and kind. Bye bye cheggers So so sad #ripkeithchegwin #ripcheggars my love to his family."
Fellow Big Breakfast presenter Chris Evans described Chegwin as "king of outside broadcast".
Entertainer Les Dennis, who worked with Chegwin on Life's Too Short, said he was "utterly devastated".
Actor Shaun Williamson, who also appeared Life's Too Short with Chegwin, tweeted: "RIP Cheggers. Terrible news!! Such fond memories of working with him. Warm, funny, generous man taken far too soon."
Former boxer Frank Bruno posted: "Saddened to hear this,what a great guy! I worked with him a lot over the years a great entertainer,you will be missed RIP Keith Chegwin."
Comedian and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness said on Twitter: "Such sad news. Very much a part of my childhood. RIP Keith Chegwin."
Television presenter Lorraine Kelly paid tribute to Chegwin, describing him as a "kind, funny, brave man who seized the day."
Fellow TV presenter Paul Ross stated: "Had no idea when I tweeted last that my good friend and colleague Keith Chegwin had died. A truly, truly lovely man and a rare talent. So sad. Love to his family. All Iove."
Friend and fellow entertainer Bobby Davro described Mr Chegwin as "one of the nicest guys I've ever met in this biz".
"What a dreadful shame to lose such a lovely friend," he added. "RIP Cheggers! I'll miss that smile."
This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield said he was "stunned" adding: "Can't get my head round this. One of my original Saturday morning heroes. Sending all my love to his family."
Presenter Fiona Phillips tweeted: "I am so so sad to hear that my friend Keith Chegwin has passed. I'll never forget his energy, his professionalism, his kindness or his very bad jokes! A lovely man whose talent was bigger than he realised. RIP my friend."