Dale: Let me
TELLY LEGEND’S SAUCY LOVE Star reveals tragic icon’s heartbreak
TRAGIC Dale Winton’s biggest heartbreak has been revealed – his doomed love for comedian David Baddiel.
The TV presenter begged the straight dad of two: “Let me be the first!” – but knew his passion would never be acted on.
Dale admitted it “killed him inside” that his longings could never be fulfilled after realising the pair would only ever be friends.
The Supermarket Sweep legend, 62, was found dead at his London home on Wednesday after telling friends he’d “had enough”.
He fell hopelessly in love with 52-yearold stand-up Baddiel after the pair worked together on TV.
Dale, who confessed he always fancied big, bearded men, told the heterosexual star he was attracted to him because he was “so straight”.
And Dale revealed: “There is one particular person, a married TV celeb, who I adore. I know I could make them happy, but we are destined to stay the best of friends, and that kills me inside.
“We met on the set of an ITV show. I won’t name them because it isn’t fair. I would never kiss and tell.
“I think they know how I feel about them, and their other half definitely suspects something, but sadly my love is unrequited.”
Worried
Former Fantasy Football host Baddiel, who has two children with partner Morwenna Banks, 56, confirmed Dale had shamelessly pursued him.
He said: “Dale started saying he found me attractive. He said it was because I was so straight.”
Dale gave the comic his phone number and a note which said: “If you ever change your mind.” The two remained friends until Dale’s death.
The stand-up took to Twitter to share an image of a signed book given to him by his long-term admirer.
In it Dale wrote that he “adored” him and said: “You know you could make it happen. Just let me be the first!”
Baddiel posted: “Genuinely sad this morning that I never made it happen. RIP Dale.”
Dale had told pals that when he died he feared no-one would turn up to his funeral. But close friend Craig Revel Horwood said the send-off would be “big” with a “good turn-out”.
Comedian David Walliams cried yesterday as he revealed how worried he had been for pal Dale before his death.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge said: “He absolutely lived for showbusiness. I was always worried for him, inevitably it does go away. You have your moment in the sun, you’re still working but you’re not quite where you were.”
The camp star revealed that the death of Dale’s mother, who took her own life days after his 21st birthday, affected his outlook on love and relationships.
Walliams said: “He absolutely worshipped her. He found her. That sort of thing you never really get over.”