Cheggers, 60, dies after battling lung condition
TV PRESENTER Keith Chegwin has died at the age of 60 following a long illness, his family has said.
The star, best known for hosting children’s game show Cheggers Play Pop, died at home after battling a progressive lung condition.
A statement from his 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, 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.”
Chegwin’s ex-wife and former TV co-star Maggie Philbin posted a lengthy statement on her official website.
She wrote: “I am sure you will have seen the heartbreaking news about Keith who died earlier today.
“It is incredibly sad. 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.
“I first met him when we did a film about windsurfing when I joined Swap Shop in 1978 and was immediately struck by his fun, energy and kindness.
“He drove me home to Leicestershire from that freezing lake in Staines, insisting it was on his own way home. (He lived in Twickenham). He leaves us all with very special memories.”
Celebrities from the worlds of sport, business and entertainment posted messages online after the news broke.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno said: “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.”
DJ Tony Blackburn said he was “absolutely devastated” to hear of his friend’s death, adding: “He was one of the nicest people I have ever known and over the years we did shows together and became great friends.”
Comedian Paddy McGuinness tweeted in memory of Chegwin, who was “very much a part of my childhood.”
Meanwhile, entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne said the entertainer was “too young to go”, calling the news “so sad”.
Chegwin, known as Cheggers, started his career as an actor but became a household name as a TV presenter of shows such as MultiColoured Swap Shop, Cheggers Plays Pop and Saturday Superstore.
He made no secret of his battle with alcoholism but staged a comeback in recent years when he was a regular on reality TV.
He took part in Dancing On Ice in 2013 and Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity Big Brother in 2015, when he came fourth and said that while his experience in the house had been a “nightmare” from beginning to end, he “actually quite enjoyed it”.