TV presenter Jeremy Beadle dies aged 59

(2005 Getty Images)

TV presenter Jeremy Beadle has died after a short battle with pneumonia, his agent said today.

His wife Sue and close friends were at his bedside.

In a statement, Beadle's agent, Nick Canham of MPC entertainment, said: "Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Sue, his two daughters, Cassie and Bonnie and his stepchildren Leo and Claire. He will be greatly missed."

As a stalwart of ITV for many years, Beadle regularly pulled in television audiences in excess of 15 million for Beadle's About and You've Been Framed.

Beadle, who was 59, was a significant fundraiser for Children with Leukaemia throughout his life and is estimated to have raised more than £100 million for charities of all description. He was awarded an MBE in 2001.

Beadle was diagnosed with cancer in 2005, but never allowed the condition to affect him.

Last autumn, he released three new books, and prior to his illness he was working on a series of television formats. He also wrote his weekly quiz for The Independent's Saturday magazine.