Noel Edmonds leads tributes as sidekick and ‘true TV legend’ Keith Chegwin dies aged 60
TV favourite Keith Chegwin's Multi-Coloured Swap Shop co-stars today paid tribute to a "true legend" following his death at the age of 60.
Noel Edmonds described him as "my first real telly chum" while John Craven said he was "bubbly, positive and full of fun".
Chegwin, known to all as Cheggers, died at home on Monday after battling a progressive lung condition.
The entertainer sent a haunting last tweet in September when he promised fans "I will be back" after struggling with ill health.
Edmonds 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.
"I never saw Keith flustered or lost for words. In fact now I think about it I never saw him upset or angry. I never heard Cheggers say a bad word about anyone.
"Like all true professionals he possessed the knack of reinventing himself time and time again.
"He was a very generous performer. Keith was indeed larger than life but he never stole the spotlight. He was an all-round entertainer - a very funny comedian and accomplished musician and singer.
"He was at his best on location, with a film crew chasing him and a member of the public about to be surprised on their doorstep.
"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."
Maggie Philbin, who was his wife from 1982 to 1993 after Philbin joined the line-up of Swap Shop in 1978, said he was a "one-off".
Craven, who appeared on Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore with Chegwin, added: "I never saw Keith without a smile. He was always bubbly, positive, full of fun."
"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."
Liverpool-born Chegwin had spent the last few weeks of his life being cared for in a hospice.
Just over two months ago, he apologised to his fans for not tweeting, saying: “Still not right. I will be back – But not for a bit yet. I’m so sorry.”
However, in a statement today, his devastated 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."
He fell in love with his co-star Maggie on the set of Swap Shop and the pair married in 1982 and had a daughter named Rose. They divorced after 11 years together.
Paying tribute to her ex-husband, Maggie said: "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.
What is Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
CHEGGARS died after battling a progressive lung condition called Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis - but what is it?
It's a condition where the lungs become scarred and as a result the lungs become stiff and breathing is harder.
This makes it difficult for oxygen to get into the blood.
It tends to affect people aged 70 to 75 years old, and is rare in those under 5 What is Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis? 0.It has been linked to smoking.
Symptoms include:shortness of breathpersistent dry coughfeeling tiredloss of appetite or weight lossround and swollen fingertips, known as clubbed fingers.
While it can be easy to dismiss breathlessness as a sign of getting older or being out of shape, even the simplest of tasks, such as getting dressed, can leave sufferers gasping for breath.
The reasons for IPF aren't clear. The condition has been linked to exposure to certain types of dust, viral infections, a family history of IPF, and gastro-oesophageal relux disease.
You should see your GP if you've been struggling to breathe properly or coughing for more than three weeks.
"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."
Full statement from Noel Edmonds, Chegwin's Swap Shop co-presenter
"Cheggers and I launched Swap Shop together.
"Yes, we had the wonderful broadcaster John Craven to keep us in line but it was the chemistry between myself and Keith that initially created the Swap Shop magic that enthralled millions of children every Saturday morning on BBC 1.
"Only those who've presented live television really know how difficult it is to make it look easy.
"I had the luxury of hosting the show from behind the desk in a warm studio but Keith was out on the road in all weathers.
"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.
"I never saw Keith flustered or lost for words. In fact now I think about it I never saw him upset or angry.
"I never heard Cheggers say a bad word about anyone. Like all true professionals he possessed the knack of reinventing himself time and time again.
"He was a very generous performer. Keith was indeed larger than life but he never stole the spotlight.
"He was an all-round entertainer- a very funny comedian and accomplished musician and singer. He was at his best on location, with a film crew chasing him and a member of the public about to be surprised on their doorstep.
"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."
He was well known for hosting children's game show Cheggers Plays Pop in the 1970s.
Later, he starred in Swap Shop and Superstore where he travelled around Britain helping children swap their toys.
But Chegwin's career suffered during a well-documented battle with alcohol. He opened up about his struggles in his autobiographical book Shaken But Not Stirred.
Years later the TV personality made a comeback as a host of Channel 4's Big Breakfast in the 1990s.
Chegwin controversially bared all in Channel Five's Naked Jungle, later describing it as the "worst career move" of his "entire life".
As an actor, Chegwin appeared in films, TV dramas and adverts.
He enjoyed roles in films including Roman Polanski's adaptation of Macbeth and in 2004, Shaun Of The Dead.
He was also a well-known face on GMTV.
Then in 2006, he appeared as himself in an episode of the Ricky Gervais sitcom Extras.
Towards the latter part of his career, Chegwin signed himself up to a number of reality TV shows.
He had to pull out of Dancing on Ice after breaking three ribs and fracturing his shoulder in 2013.
Two years later he took part in the 15th series of Celebrity Big Brother which he finished in fourth place.
He said that while his experience in the house had been a "nightmare" from beginning to end, he "actually quite enjoyed it".
Friend Timmy Mallet joined in paying tribute to the 60-year-old who said: "The saddest news, I'm numb.
"Dear Cheggers made the world smile. Such lovely happy times with him. Joyfully happy in his new home. My heart goes out to all the family."
Pal Bobby Davro said: "I have known Keith Chegwin for many years.
"He was one of the nicest guys I've ever met in this biz I had been told he was very poorly but unable to contact him for a while.
"What a dreadful shame to lose such a lovely friend Love to his family RIP Cheggers! I'll miss that smile."
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".
Rylan Clark-Neal also sent his condolences, and remembered the comedian fondly by writing: “Can’t believe it about Keith . Such a lovely man at Big Bro and a great host Pleasure to have met him. RIP Cheggers x”
Channel 5 presenter of The Wright Stuff, Matthew Wright, said: "V sad to hear about #cheggers - one of the loveliest showbiz peeps I ever met x."