The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Swap Shop co-stars pay tribute to ‘Cheggers’
Television presenter and broadcaster Keith Chegwin dies at 60
Keith Chegwin’s Multi-Coloured Swap Shop co-stars have paid tribute to him after his death at the age of 60.
Noel Edmonds described him as “my first real telly chum” and called him a “true legend”, while John Craven described him as “bubbly, positive, full of fun”.
Maggie Philbin, who was his wife from 1982 to 1993 after she joined the line-up of Swap Shop in 1978, said he was a “one-off”.
Chegwin, often known as Cheggers, died at home yesterday after battling a progressive lung condition.
Edmonds, his Swap Shop co-presenter, said in a statement: “I’ve lost my first real telly chum and I’m certain I’m not alone in shedding tears for a true telly legend.
“He was an extraordinary showman capable of entertaining a vast crowd of excited children during the long periods between his live contributions to the show.
“He was an all-round entertainer – a very funny comedian and accomplished musician and singer.
“The greatest achievement for any TV performer is for the viewers to regard you as a friend and today millions will be grateful for Keith’s contribution to their childhood memories and like me they will mourn the passing of a friend.”
Craven, who appeared on Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore with Chegwin, told the Press Association he first met him when he was 19.
He said: “I never saw Keith without a smile. He was always bubbly, positive, full of fun.”
Craven added: “We worked together for 10 years and remained good friends, which doesn’t always happen when strangers are thrust together on a television show.
“He was a master of the off-the-cuff remark and always made his job look so easy, whatever show he was doing, which is the true mark of a star on top of his game. Keith was much loved and will be much missed.”
Philbin 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.”
His family announced his death, saying: “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.
“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.”